School nurses’ health dialogues with pupils regarding food habits

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the content of school nurses’ health dialogues with pupils regarding food habits. A qualitative content analysis of 24 recorded health dialogues resulted in five categories describing the content of the dialogues, regarding food habits. Current food habits covered food, mealtimes and food related to physical activity. Social context and food habits showed that social groups in the pupils’ surroundings affected their food habits . Society and food habits included external factors that affected food habits, such as school and laws . School nurses’ advice and support regarding food habits described how nurses offered advice, support and information. Pupils’ understanding of health in connection to food habits comprised the pupils’ knowledge, participation and willingness to change. The results showed a variety of interacting factors which affected the pupils’ food habits, upon which health-promotional work can be based.