Promoting a Whole School Approach to Healthy Eating in Two Secondary Schools in South Wales

This work focuses on the provision and improvement of food in secondary schools. The study evaluates the effect of a whole school intervention based upon the implementation of school nutrition action groups in two secondary schools in South Wales. The study explores the impact of the intervention on food sales, pupil food choices, knowledge and attitude. Foods provided during the school day can make significant contribution to meeting the dietary requirements of children and adolescents (Crawley, 2005c) and it is estimated that the midday school meal may account for at least 33% of daily energy intake (Crawley, 2005b).

This chapter sets the backdrop and context to this work and describes the provision of school meals in UK and westernised countries. As well as considering a contemporary perspective, the chapter describes the historical development of school meals service in UK in order to understand the barriers and motivators to the movement for change in school meal provision. The chapter explores the role of government priority and investment and describes the development of national food strategies, particularly Appetite for Life in Wales. These strategies, implemented via food and nutrient based standards, aim to positively impact on school meals and adolescent health.