title: Factors and barriers associated with early adoption of nutrition guidelines in Alberta, Canada.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify factors that influenced early adoption and implementation of the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth (ANGCY) in schools in Alberta, Canada; and to identify healthy eating strategies that were implemented as a result of the guidelines. Barriers and facilitators were also investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple case study design (n = 3). Semi-structured interviews and direct observations were used to collect data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three schools in Alberta were selected for individual case studies. Eighteen key informants were interviewed from the 3 cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  To investigate how the motivation shown by school administration and stakeholders for the ANGCY influenced the early adoption and implementation of the guidelines.
  
  
  METHODS
  Content analysis was used to analyze data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Various healthy eating strategies were implemented within the 3 cases after uptake of the guidelines. Support from the school superintendent and the work of a health champion facilitated the adoption and implementation of the guidelines, whereas parents posed some barriers to the adoption and implementation of the ANGCY.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reinforces the importance of identifying a health champion to oversee healthy eating strategies in schools, and of involving parents in the promotion of children's healthy lifestyles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Maira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quintanilha
authors.forename: Shauna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Downs
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lieffers
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farmer
authors.forename: Linda J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: McCargar
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D005522:Food Services; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011634:Public Health; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: case studies; nutrition guidelines; nutrition sciences; overweight; public health; schools