Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41368809›Full record

ArticlePublic health nutrition2025

Key factors advancing food education in primary schools - Perspectives of headteachers and education directors.

Aija L Laitinen, Tanja Tilles-Tirkkonen, Leila Karhunen, Sanna Talvia

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Public health nutrition, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Aija L LaitinenDepartment of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, https://ror.org/00cyydd11University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.ORCID 0000-0002-6793-2465
Tanja Tilles-TirkkonenDepartment of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, https://ror.org/00cyydd11University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Leila KarhunenDepartment of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, https://ror.org/00cyydd11University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Sanna TalviaDepartment of Education, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveSchools are key environments for promoting healthy eating habits, food knowledge and skills, but the systematic implementation of food education is usually lacking. This study aimed to examine the perceptions of primary school headteachers and municipal education directors regarding the key factors influencing the implementation of food education in Finnish primary schools.

designIn this qualitative study, the participants took part in research interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using theory-driven content analysis to identify common categories.

settingSemi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted.

participantsThe interviews involved twelve headteachers and five education directors, all of whom had prior experience in implementing food education through the Tasty School project, which supported primary schools in delivering food education.

resultsIn the analysis, the key factors influencing implementation of food education were categorised according to an ecological framework into two levels: the macro level and the school community level, which represents the micro-level interactions within the school’s physical and social environment. The results indicate that successful food education requires a school culture that prioritises it − incorporating curriculum integration, dedicating adequate planning time and ensuring sufficient resources.

conclusionsPrimary schools would benefit from a school culture that prioritises food education. This includes setting objectives in the curriculum, allocating sufficient time for planning, ensuring resources and creating supportive learning environments. While headteachers play a central role, support from municipal officials is essential for sustained implementation. These findings provide insights to support the implementation of food education at both school and municipal levels.

Indexed as

Diet, HealthyHealth EducationSchool Health ServicesSchoolsSchool TeachersAdministrative PersonnelAdultChildCurriculumFemaleFinlandHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHealth PromotionHumansInterviews as TopicMaleEducational policyFinnish education systemMunicipal officialsNutrition educationQualitative researchSchool headteachers

Identifiers

PMID41368809
PMCPMC12780797

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.