Browsing by Author "Taljaard, Marli"
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- ItemSchool feeding programmes in Malmesbury : does the national policy match what is on the plate? a pilot study(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Taljaard, Marli; Ebrahim, Zarina; Sigge, Gunnar; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.ENGLISH SUMMARY: The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) is a nation-wide programme that provides macro- and micronutrient-rich meals to all learners in primary and secondary schools daily. In quintile 1–3 schools, all learners are able to receive a meal at school; however, in Quintile 4–5, only 40% of learners receive meals at school (Devereux et al., 2018). School-aged children experience an increase in motor skills, cognitive, social and emotional development. Nutrients are essential to ensure this optimum physical and psychosocial development health (França et al., 2018). NSNP’s can improve, promote and maintain healthy eating habits and assist in preventing nutritional deficiencies, excess weight gain and chronic diseases (França et al., 2018). It has been found that younger children benefit more from NSNPs than older children (Powell et al., 1998), therefore the earlier NSNPs can be initiated in younger children, the bigger the impact on their development. As part of the NSNP, schools are encouraged to cultivate school food gardens that can supplement the menus (DBE, 2018a). The aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of the NSNP in primary schools in the Malmesbury area of the Western Cape. The objectives were: to determine the content of the served meals and whether it followed the predetermined menu guidelines; to evaluate the procurement, storage, preparation and serving conditions in the schools; and to observe whether a school food garden was established. The study area includes Quintile 1–3 primary schools (12) in the Malmesbury district of the West Coast region. The study was a cross-sectional observational design. Data was collected at the selected primary schools, using an observational checklist and a self-administered questionnaire for the food handlers, NSNP coordinators and food gardener. The findings of the study indicated that the schools implemented the NSNP well. Although the food served at the schools followed the predetermined menus, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) % for energy was not met according to the NSNP guidelines at any of the schools participating in the study. In terms of the food delivery system used, the procurement of raw materials was satisfactory and the storage conditions at the schools were clean and adequate. Preparation of meals was done by food handlers who all displayed a good sense of personal hygiene, and safe food-handling practices were observed. Food gardens at schools that had these were well maintained and the produce contributed toward the NSNP menu. In general, the schools observed implemented the NSNP according to the guidelines, allowing the programme to reach its potential aims and have a positive impact on the learners attending school.