Healthy eating champions award for elementary schools.

PURPOSE

The Healthy Eating Champions Award for Elementary Schools (HEC) is a public health initiative that recognizes and rewards schools for their outstanding commitment to the promotion of nutrition, for nutrition education, and for making healthy foods and beverages available. This process evaluation assessed HEC implementation, identified benefits and barriers, and solicited suggestions for program improvement.

METHODS

In-person interviews with principals or their designates from 28 HEC participating schools were conducted in fall 2006.

RESULTS

Participants had positive feelings about the HEC program and shared many success stories. Perceived program benefits included increased student awareness about healthy eating, more student involvement in healthy eating initiatives, the creation of opportunities for goal setting and spirit boosting, and improved hygiene practices. The challenge of getting parents and teachers involved and the significant financial needs of schools in low-income areas were identified as challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants view the HEC program as having a positive impact on the healthy eating environment in schools.