Table 2 Parents’ perspective on aspects of the school food policy
N | % | |
|---|---|---|
School food rules | ||
“Does your child’s school have rules about the food and drinks children are allowed to consume during…” | ||
Morning break | ||
Yes | 1108 | 78.2 |
No | 216 | 15.3 |
Unknown | 92 | 6.5 |
Birthday celebration | ||
Yes | 631 | 44.9 |
No | 620 | 44.1 |
Unknown | 155 | 11.0 |
Lunch break | ||
Yes | 606 | 42.8 |
No | 431 | 30.5 |
Unknown | 378 | 26.7 |
Compliance with school food rules * | ||
“Do you comply with the food rules?” | ||
Morning break | ||
Always | 905 | 81.8 |
Not always | 202 | 18.2 |
Birthday celebration | ||
Always | 453 | 72.5 |
Not always | 172 | 27.5 |
Lunch break | ||
Always | 531 | 88.6 |
Not always | 68 | 11.4 |
Reasons for non-compliance with school food rules** | ||
“Why do you not always comply with the school food rules?” | ||
Morning break | ||
Nothing else available at home | 78 | 37.9 |
Almost no-one sticks to food rules | 11 | 5.4 |
Child takes his/her own snack | 36 | 17.5 |
Not always aware of rules | 20 | 9.7 |
Disagree with rules | 16 | 7.8 |
Other reason | 45 | 21.8 |
Birthday celebration | ||
Almost no-one sticks to food rules | 42 | 22.7 |
Not always aware of rules | 14 | 7.6 |
Disagree with rules | 19 | 10.3 |
Wishes child | 70 | 37.8 |
Other reason | 40 | 21.6 |
Lunch break | ||
Nothing else available at home | 17 | 25.0 |
Almost no-one sticks to food rules | 4 | 5.9 |
Child takes his/her own snack | 6 | 8.8 |
Not always aware of rules | 11 | 16.1 |
Disagree with rules | 14 | 20.6 |
Other reason | 16 | 23.5 |
Enforcement of school food rules*** | ||
“ I believe that my child’s school should more strongly enforce the food rules for morning breaks and classroom celebrations” | ||
Agree | 325 | 28.1 |
No opinion | 460 | 39.8 |
Disagree | 371 | 32.1 |
Appreciation of food rules*** | ||
“I appreciate that my child’s school has food rules about the food children are allowed to eat during morning breaks” | ||
Agree | 943 | 76.5 |
No opinion | 230 | 18.7 |
Disagree | 59 | 4.8 |
“I appreciate that my child’s school has food rules about the food children are allowed to offer during classroom celebrations” | ||
Agree | 618 | 60.0 |
No opinion | 336 | 32.6 |
Disagree | 76 | 7.4 |
Role of the school in fostering healthy eating habits among children*** | ||
“ it is a responsibility of the school to foster healthy eating habits among children” | ||
Agree | 696 | 49.8 |
No opinion | 454 | 32.5 |
Disagree | 247 | 17.5 |