Let’s Talk About Your Lunch: A Study of Young Students’ Ideas About Food and Nutrition

• In Event: Roundtable Session 22
  In Roundtable Session: Modifications: Assessing English Language Learners, Food Genetics, and Nutrition Understandings

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates perspectives and understandings about healthy food and nutrition of fourth and fifth grade students. We explored students’ knowledge about the origins and sources of food, the meaning of healthy eating and what constitutes healthy food, and examined whether a one-year experience in learning to grow food impacts young people’s food and nutrition knowledge and practices. Students gained extensive knowledge about plants and ‘where food comes from’. We found that students’ understandings about food and healthy eating are not poor, but are applied inconsistently and selectively. Students have knowledge and information nevertheless “to know is not enough” to modify consumption patterns. This study clearly illustrates the complex role that food plays in children’s lives.

Authors

• Tathali Urueta-Ortiz, The University of British Columbia

• Jolie A. Mayer-Smith, The University of British Columbia