Students’ interests and learning venues as enablers for school-based nutrition education among adolescents in Jakarta

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to explore potential enablers for school-based nutrition education (SBNE) through adolescent students’ perceptions in Jakarta, Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach The study conducted 15 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 6–8 students per group to gather the main data, supported by six in-depth interviews with junior high school officials and content analysis of selected schoolbooks among five schools. The FGDs were conducted to explore students’ interest in nutrition information and their exposure to nutrition education and learning experiences. To analyze the FGD responses, three steps were used: coding, categorizing and determining themes. Findings Students’ interest in nutrition and potential learning venues for interactive nutrition education were potential enablers for SBNE. The students’ interest in nutrition information comprised eight topics, with some different patterns by gender. Nutrition information not represented in the school books included: food fads, women’s nutrition, halal-certified food establishments and cooking. To complement the nutrition information that was not provided in school books, student club activities and school special programs were suitable settings as potential learning venues for SBNE. Originality/value This study is the first study exploring SBNE facilitators from students’ perspectives among adolescents in Jakarta.