Stakeholder Perspectives on the School Food Environment: Insights from South African Learners—A Pilot Study

Leveraging learner-driven insights to enhance the SFE can significantly influence food choices by decreasing the consumption of unhealthy foods and increasing access to healthier options. Using learners' voices as important stakeholders in the school food environment (SFE), this qualitative research study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of their perspectives, identify barriers and enablers to fostering a healthy SFE in South African public schools, and explore the link between the SFE and learners' food choices. Six focus group discussions (FGDs) with 4-6 participants were held in six schools, including three primary and three secondary schools in the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education's iLembe district, SA, with learners aged 12-14 and 15-18 years, respectively. Learners were asked how schools could help them eat healthier and how their SFE benefitted them. The data were analysed using thematic data analysis methods. The FGDs generated 14 themes and subthemes. Emerging information suggests a lack of control over the sale of unhealthy food despite the existence of guidelines. This is further exacerbated by the marketing of unhealthy foods, which prevents learners from selecting healthier options. Furthermore, they stated that promoting the school food programme (SFP) and changing attitudes towards healthy food intake through comprehensive nutrition education are useful ways to enhance the SFE. The findings of this study underscore the critical role of learner insights in shaping effective strategies to improve the SFE.