Assessing diet diversification and pupils’ attitudes toward school feeding program

Abstract

School feeding programs play a crucial role in addressing malnutrition and improving educational outcomes among school-age children. This study covered children’s perceptions of the school-based meal and changes in their diet. The study examined how a state-sponsored school feeding program was influenced by gender and the location of the school. Two research topics and two hypotheses guided the studies. In this study, the Diet Diversifications and Pupil’s Attitudes Scale (DDPAS) was used as a tool to collect data. Face validation of the instrument was performed by four professionals, including a test and measurement assessment lecturer and three from the vocational education department. The reliability indices of DDPAS were calculated using Cronbach’s alpha (α). The instruments were administered through a direct delivery and retrieval method. A total of 1,200 learners and 58 educators were chosen based on a systematic random sampling approach. To achieve the study objectives, descriptive and inferential statistics were deployed in the analysis of the data obtained. The main findings of this study revealed that pupils had a positive attitude toward the feeding program, particularly regarding the taste of the food provided. The findings from this study have implications for policymakers, educators, and nutritionists involved in the design and implementation of school feeding programs. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on school feeding programs and offer practical recommendations for improving their nutritional impact and overall acceptance among pupils.