Young people’s school food styles

Abstract

This article is based on a study of young Norwegians’ school food habits. The article describes what and how young people eat during the school day. Furthermore, we look at the beliefs and values that influence young people’s food choices and practices. Considering the attention given to young people’s food habits in the Norwegian public debate, there are surprisingly few studies that have mapped the socio-cultural aspects of young people’s food culture. This sociological study explores how young people negotiate and interpret food-cultural structures and relations, including the way in which young people’s food-cultural identity is influenced by variables such as gender, ethnicity, place of living and social class. The purpose is to provide some new perspectives on young people’s relationship to food. More knowledge about these aspects will be important, both in the provision of suitable school food services and in the development of strategies for preventive health work among young people.