title: From paper to practice: barriers to adopting nutrition guidelines in schools.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the barriers associated with the adoption of the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth in schools according to characteristics of the innovation (guidelines) and the organization (schools).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional telephone survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Schools in Alberta, Canada. Principals from 357 schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  Barriers to adopting the nutrition guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 19-question telephone survey, including open- and closed-ended questions, was used to obtain information regarding schools' characteristics and barriers to adopting the guidelines. Qualitative data were coded according to common themes a priori, based on constructs from the Diffusion of Innovations framework.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Schools reported many barriers related to the relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity of adopting the guidelines. Parents' resistance to change and cost were the key reported barriers. Lack of knowledge, student preferences, the physical location of the school, and barriers related to the provision of healthful food were also reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Disseminating guidelines without providing adequate support for their implementation may not promote change within the school setting. School nutrition initiatives need to involve the parents and have access to sufficient financial and human resource support.
authors: Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Shauna M
authors: SM
authors: Downs
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Farmer
authors: Maira
authors: M
authors: Quintanilha
authors: Tanya R
authors: TR
authors: Berry
authors: Diana R
authors: DR
authors: Mager
authors: Noreen D
authors: ND
authors: Willows
authors: Linda J
authors: LJ
authors: McCargar
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005509:Food Dispensers, Automatic; D005522:Food Services; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires