Integrating health and sustainability: food and nutrition programmes in the Dutch secondary school context

This study explores how health and sustainability are integrated in Dutch secondary school-based food and nutrition programmes, as well as how those programmes embed the two themes in the broader school context, using the whole school approach (WSA) as an analytical framework. Fifteen online semi-structured interviews were conducted with programme representatives, supplemented by a document analysis of scientific and grey literature. Half of the programmes indicated to focus on healthy and sustainable diets integrally, mostly addressing food groups, dietary guidelines and production and origin. Programmes were mainly designed to be implemented in the classroom, but also included links to other elements of the WSA, such as the school building. Our findings reveal room for more integration of health and sustainability in food and nutrition programmes. WSAs can facilitate this through stronger embedding in the school context, ensuring that adolescents are exposed to both themes in a comprehensive and positive way.