School feeding programmes in Malmesbury : does the national policy match what is on the plate? a pilot study

Date
2021-03
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
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.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Nasionale Skoolvoedingsprogram (NSVP) is 'n landswye program wat maaltye ryk aan makro- en mikro-voedingstowwe, daagliks aan alle leerders in laer- en hoerskole bied. In Kwintiel 1–3 skole kan alle leerders 'n maaltyd op ontvang, terwyl in Kwintiel 4–5 skole, net 40% van die leerders maaltye ontvang (Devereux et al., 2018). Skool kinders ervaar 'n toename in motoriese vaardighede, kognitiewe-, sosiale- en emosionele-ontwikkeling. Voedingstowwe is daarom noodsaaklik om hierdie optimale ontwikkeling te verseker en bevorder (França et al., 2018). Die NSVP kan gesonde eetgewoontes verbeter, bevorder en handhaaf asook voedingstekorte, oormatige gewigstoename en chroniese siektes voorkom (França et al., 2018). Daar is bevind dat jonger kinders meer voordeel uit die NSVP baat, in vergelyking met ouer kinders (Powell et al., 1998). Dus, hoe vroeer kinders blootgestel word aan die voedings program, hoe groter is die impak op hul ontwikkeling. As deel van die program word skole aangemoedig om groente tuine te kweek wat die daaglikse spyskaarte kan aanvul (Departement van Basiese Onderwys, 2018a). Die doel van die studie was om die implementering van die program in laerskole in die Malmesbury-omgewing in die Wes-Kaap te ondersoek. Die doelstellings was: om vas te stel watter etes bedien word en die spesifieke voedselgroepe waaruit dit bestaan, asook of dit aan die voorafbepaalde spyskaart riglyne voldoen. Om die verkrygings-, opbergings-, voorbereidings- en bedienings-omstandighede in die skole te evalueer en om die skole se voedseltuine waar te neem indien dit gevestig is. Die studiegebied bevat Kwintiel 1–3 laerskole (12) in die Malmesbury distrik in die Weskusstreek. Die studie was ’n waarneemende dwarssnitstudie en data was by geselekteerde laerskole ingesamel met behulp van 'n kontrolelys en 'n vraelys wat self uitgedeel is aan die voedselhanteerders, NSNP-koordineerders en voedseltuinier. Oor die algemeen dui die bevindings aan dat die waargeneemde skole die program goed geimplementeer. Alhoewel die maaltye wat die leerders ontvang het, voldoen aan die voorafbepaalde spyskaarte en riglyne, het geen skool die persentasie aanbevolle daaglikse energie ontvang nie. Die verkryging van roumateriale en benodighede is voldoene en die stoor geriewe by die skole was skoon en voldoende. Die voorbereiding van die maaltye is gedoen deur voedselhanteerders wat almal 'n goeie persoonlike higiene gehad gehandhaaf het, en veilige hanteringspraktyke is waargeneem. Die skole met voedseltuine is goed onderhou en die produkte het bygedra tot die NSNP-spyskaart. Oor die algemeen is die NSVP volgens die riglyne geimplementeer, wat verseker dat die program sy potensiele doelstellings kon bereik en 'n positiewe uitwerking op die skoolgaande leerders gehad het.
Description
Thesis (MNutr)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.
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