ERIC Number: EJ1478970
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Sep
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: EISSN-1746-1561
Available Date: 2025-07-03
Availability and Implementation Characteristics of Nutrition Health Promotion Interventions in Quebec Elementary Schools
Journal of School Health, v95 n9 p710-722 2025
Background: Availability and quality of nutrition-related health-promoting interventions (N-HPIs) vary across primary schools. We examined whether school contextual factors (e.g., socioeconomic deprivation) were associated with N-HPI availability in Quebec, Canada, and whether available N-HPIs incorporated evidence-based implementation characteristics. Methods: In a cross-sectional study (2016-2019), informants from 171 primary schools reported on N-HPI availability. Availability was analyzed in relation to 10 school-level contextual indicators. A subset of 52 N-HPIs was examined in-depth for alignment with 15 evidence-based implementation characteristics identified in a literature review. Results: N-HPIs were reported in 120 schools (70%, including 77% serving disadvantaged populations). Among the 52 N-HPIs examined in-depth, over 75% demonstrated four core characteristics: Staff involvement, integration of multiple core competencies, innovative teaching strategies, and alignment with school context. Fewer HPIs included formal evaluation (46%), were delivered over multiple sessions (35%), or engaged students in design or implementation (15%). Implications: To strengthen N-HPIs, policymakers should support flexible, theory-informed interventions that incorporate evaluation from the outset. Greater involvement of students, staff, and families in planning may help address persistent barriers. Conclusion: While N-HPIs are widespread and often incorporate evidence-based implementation characteristics, there is room to enhance student participation, extend program duration, and strengthen evaluation.
Descriptors: Nutrition, Nutrition Instruction, Health Promotion, Intervention, Elementary Schools, Elementary School Students, Foreign Countries, Economically Disadvantaged, Student Participation, Evidence Based Practice, Program Evaluation
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de L'université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada; 2Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 3Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA; 4MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 5Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 6Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada