An Ecological Approach to High School Students’ School Food Choice

Public school systems are required to provide nutritionally healthy meals for all students. However, unhealthy competitive foods are often prevalent and easily accessible. Using an ecological perspective, this study examined how school food choice is affected by the interplay of different environments such as the family (microsystem), school (exosystem), and culture (macrosystem). Using a multi-method approach, 144 adolescents enrolled in a 4-H youth program representing six area high schools were surveyed and personnel from these six high schools were interviewed. Results indicate that adolescents have the knowledge to make healthful food choices, but their behaviors do not support their knowledge.