FoodScapes: A new concept for understanding school food environments

Description

Strategies to counteract the burden of nutrition related disorders and unhealthy eating patterns at the national level are commonly based on regulatory approaches, but a growing number of strategies are also targeting the local level.  School based strategies are among the most promising public health nutrition strategies. A majority of these studies are suggesting that school based nutrition interventions can positively impact eating patterns and improve student’s health status. There are many challenges in improving the school food environment. In addition to the nutritional quality of school lunches as provided in cafeterias, canteens etc, a number of other important aspects of the nutrition environment in schools are now under investigation.  Such studies show the complexity of the food environment that young people encounter in their daily life at school. This paper builds on the idea of foodscapes as a way understand this complex issue. FoodScapes Studies (FSS) is a growing area of research in the diverse scientific fields engaged in the study of foodways. The paper will present the conceptual foundation of foodscapes and explains how it might be used to accommodate the holistic approach that is needed to understand the complex social system of the school and how the concept of foodscapes can be used for promoting good public health nutrition. Based on a systems approach, and theories of practice approach, the paper will present a tool to access the important aspects of adequacy, availability and accessibility of school food environments.

Period	20 May 2014
Held at	Unknown external organisation