Elaine McDonnell, instructor and project coordinator who did the study analysis, says, "Breakfast has been related to lower rates of obesity, better academic performance and lower absenteeism and tardiness, yet the rate of participation in Pennsylvania still lags behind participation in the National School Lunch Program. The Commonwealth ranks 38th among the states in school breakfast program participation."
The researchers observed that parents who participated in the study did not perceive a major role for themselves in promoting school breakfast programs. However, school administrators did see parent support as crucial.
"Parents need to know that they will be listened to and can play a bigger role in obtaining in-school breakfasts for their children," McDonnell notes.
She presented the results of the focus groups in a paper, "Barriers to the Initiation and Promotion of the School Breakfast Program," Oct. 28, at the American Dietetic Association meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
Her co-authors are Dr. Claudia Probart, associate professor of nutrition; J. Elaine Weirich, research associate; Dr. Terryl J. Hartman, assistant professor of nutrition; and Catherine Nguyen, undergraduate student.
In the focus groups, school administrators identified scheduling, limited instructional time, cost, poor student interest, and attitudes about school vs parent responsibilities as barriers.
Foodservice directors identified lack of support from key individuals such as administrators and teachers as the primary barrier along with unpleasant attitudes of cafeteria staff, limited time and poor perceived value of school meals program.
Parents were supportive of school breakfast programs as long as foods they perceived as "healthy" were served. Parents wanted to be sure that something besides donuts would be available.
Students identified poor food quality and costs as reasons for not participating and confirmed the existence of a stigma that only poor children eat breakfast at school. Students wanted a variety of fresh, hot foods -- Pop tarts to bagels to cereal to ham and eggs. High school students were also concerned that breakfast time wouldn't cut into their sleep schedule or time to socialize.
McDonnell notes that school administrators do recognize the benefits of breakfast and sometimes serve all of their students breakfast on days on which standardized state tests are administered. She adds, "With help from the focus group data we're developing strategies to overcome the barriers."
The study was supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Food and Nutrition.