Headteachers’ and chairs of governors’ perspectives on adolescent obesity and its prevention in English secondary school settings

Abstract

Background Secondary schools are an important setting for preventing obesity in adolescence. Headteachers and chairs of governors are identified in national guidance as crucial stakeholders for school-based preventative action. Despite this, their views remain unexplored and unrepresented. Methods A sequential mixed method study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of 22 secondary school headteachers and chairs of governors in England. Data were thematically analysed and informed the development of a descriptive cross-sectional survey, completed by 127 participants from the same population. Results Unhealthy dietary and sedentary behaviours were viewed as a more significant problem than adolescent obesity. Obesity was perceived as complex and multi-causal, and a range of stakeholders were deemed to have responsibility for its prevention, most notably parents. Support was identified for the role of secondary schools, although this was not an explicit priority and extensive internal and external barriers exist, which hinder preventative action. Conclusions Whilst secondary school settings in England remain an important setting for the prevention of adolescent obesity, it is crucial for policy makers and public health professionals to recognize the factors affecting school leaders’ ability and willingness to contribute to this agenda.

The barriers and enablers to implementing the New South Wales Healthy School Canteen Strategy in secondary schools in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions – A qualitative study

“…This is unsurprising as there are multiple DoE policies a principal is required to follow 37 and aligns with recent evidence that shows low levels of school nutrition policy implementation within NSW secondary schools and a need for better training to facilitate this implementation 38 . While previous research indicates school‐based preventative health action is the role of principals, 20,39 our findings suggest that the provision of additional support for CMs via an education leader or facilitator would be beneficial and reduce the input required by time‐poor principals. It is recognised that continued monitoring of school canteens by those responsible for policy can contribute to its long‐term adherence and sustainability 6 .…”

Measuring public opinion and acceptability of prevention policies: an integrative review and narrative synthesis of methods

“…Grunseit et al [ 176 ] conducted focus groups with members of the general public regarding views and attitudes about preventive health in Australia, which then informed the development of a national cross-sectional survey about prevention. Booth et al [ 177 ] also used this approach with a purposive (rather than representative) sample; they interviewed school policy actors in the United Kingdom about childhood obesity prevention, with the results informing a cross-sectional survey for a wider group of stakeholders.…”

Factors that influence food choices in secondary school canteens: a qualitative study of pupil and staff perspectives

“…In Australia, senior pupils have proven effective in role modelling healthful behaviours among the younger pupils in secondary school (62). Additionally, in America, a peer-led, school-based nutrition education intervention among adolescents was positively viewed and reported as feasible and acceptable among pupils, peerleaders and teaching staff, with peer-leaders also citing improved dietary practices and awareness of healthy eating as a result of their role (63). However, the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a peer-led, school-based dietary intervention in secondary schools across NI is unknown, and thus, further investigation is warranted.…”