The Acuity of School Nurses on Their Ability to Improve Eating Habits in 11–16 Year Old Students in Denmark — An Interview Study Inspired by the Health Belief Model

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the acuity of school nurses regarding their opportunities and limitations to improve eating habits in 11–16 year old Danish schoolchildren, as it is well known that this age group often demonstrates unhealthy habits. The study's methodology was qualitative, exploratory and descriptive and took the form of a semi-structured interview investigation involving eight school nurses from four municipalities in the Copenhagen metropolitan area. The interviews were analysed using hermeneutic interpretation principles and were categorized with the assistance of a model inspired by the Health Belief Model. The school nurses' perceptions of their opportunities for action included: health-related discussions with children; empowering children to be responsible for their own health; and ensuring that healthy meals were made available in schools. They saw the limitations as being: group pressure; parents being too busy and unsupportive, as well as the absence of goal setting, common viewpoints and planning processes with teachers. As a result a conflict exists between what the school nurses want to achieve and what they currently are achieving.