Reducing hunger-associated symptoms: the midmorning nutrition break.
This study measured the effectiveness of a 9 a.m. nutrition break after it had been implemented for 1 academic year at an inner-city high school. Effectiveness was measured by student participation rates, student and teacher evaluations of hunger-associated symptoms experienced by students, and teacher evaluations of the effects on the learning environment. Sixty-nine percent of students participated. The most frequently cited reason for nonparticipation was dislike of the food offered (53%), with an additional 15% citing problems with food distribution. As the frequency of participation rose, the frequency of inability to focus, tiredness, stomachache, headache, and midmorning hunger fell. All of the associations were statistically significant except for headache. Seventy-four percent of staff stated that the nutrition break had positive effects on the learning environment, and 71% referred fewer students to the school nurse.
Sweeney
Nancy M
NM
San Diego State University School of Nursing, San Diego, CA, USA.
Tucker
Joanne
J
Reynosa
Brenda
B
Glaser
Dale
D
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D001288:Attention; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005178:Faculty; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015397:Program Evaluation; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012573:School Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors