Young students' perception of the health perspective in the Norwegian school subject Food and Health

Abstract

In Norway, Food and Health (FH) is taught throughout compulsory school. Data acquisition for this study consists of 15 interviews with teachers and 26 focus group interviews (FGI) with 4th grade students (9-10 years), from eleven different schools in five regions in Norway. The data provides insight into experiences with FH, perceptions of the health aspect of FH, and learning activities to achieve the subject’s competence aims. Students divided FH into "practical sessions”, consisting of preparing, cooking, and eating food, and "health sessions", consisting of theory related to different health aspects of food and lifestyle habits. Most students reported that they had few FH sessions at school. Instead, they referred to activities at home, in after-school care, and what parents and grandparents had told them about the subject. High-quality education in school, focusing on dietary advice, food groups, and supporting physical health is important to promote healthier dietary habits in young students.