Healthy eating guidelines for a school jurisdiction: collaborative design and implementation.
OBJECTIVE
Healthy eating is a determinant of optimal growth, and schools provide an ideal setting in which to influence students' diets. The Healthy Eating Guidelines Initiative (HEGI) was a partnership among education, health, and community stakeholders to develop and implement healthy eating guidelines across a school jurisdiction. An evaluation was conducted to examine the potential impact of the HEGI on the school food environment and students' self-reported diets.


METHODS
All schools in the jurisdiction were invited to participate in the evaluation. Participating schools included elementary, middle, high, and mixed grades schools. A school environment assessment and a student questionnaire were used to collect data before and after the HEGI.


RESULTS
Twenty-two (71%) of 31 schools participated in the evaluation. The guidelines were successfully implemented in 17 of these 22 schools. Overall, a greater proportion of students reported healthier eating behaviours at the conclusion of the HEGI. In particular, a greater proportion of students in schools with cafeteria-style food service showed significantly improved self-reported dietary behaviours. These changes were not seen among students at schools with limited or no on-site food service.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings are consistent with those of previous studies, and indicate that guidelines for a school jurisdiction can have a positive impact on the school food environment and students' food intake. The HEGI shows promise as a strategy to promote healthy eating among students.
Alberta Health Services.
Flora F
FF
Stephenson
Alberta Health Services.
Theresa
T
Riege
Alberta Health Services.
Farah
F
Bandali
University of Calgary.
J Cyne
JC
Johnston
University of Calgary.
Deborah A
DA
McNeil
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires