Understanding System-Level Intervention Points to Support School Food and Nutrition Policy Implementation in Nova Scotia, Canada

Jessie-Lee D. McIsaac, Rebecca Spencer, Melissa Stewart, Tarra Penney, Sara Brushett and Sara F.L. Kirk
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Jessie-Lee D. McIsaac: Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Rebecca Spencer: Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Melissa Stewart: Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Tarra Penney: MRC Epidemiology Unit/CEDAR, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Sara Brushett: Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Sara F.L. Kirk: Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University, PO Box 15000, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 5, 1-16

Abstract: Supporting the implementation of school food and nutrition policies (SFNPs) is an international priority to encourage healthier eating among children and youth. Such policies can improve equitable access, resources, and supports for healthy eating. However, despite the potential impact of SFNPs, several implementation barriers have been reported. This study sought to examine the system-level intervention points within a school food system using a complex systems framework. We conducted semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders working to influence the school food system in Nova Scotia, Canada. We sought to understand their roles and experiences with the SFNP by applying the Intervention Level Framework (ILF), a novel, solutions-oriented approach to better understand how complex systems function. Participants (n = 33) included teachers, parents, cafeteria workers, public health staff and non-profit organizations. Interview transcripts were first coded, then themed and finally analyzed using the ILF, resulting in three intervention points within the school food system. These were defined as: (1) Actors and Elements, (2) System Regulation and Interconnections and (3) Purpose and Values. We concluded that understanding the interactions between these system levels and stakeholder roles can help to inform the development of relevant policy strategies that better support healthier school food environments in this jurisdiction.

Keywords: school food; complex systems; child and youth health; nutrition; environment; Intervention Level Framework; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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