An exploration of psychosocial aspects of the school-home food environment in addressing double and triple burden of malnutrition among adolescent girls

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the psychosocial aspects [attitudes, awareness, motivation, and self-efficacy] of key actors in the adolescent food environment, including parents, school food vendors, and teachers. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using focus group discussions [FGDs], semi-structured interviews, and document reviews with 28 participants from four secondary schools in Majene District, West Sulawesi. Participants included guidance counsellors, school health program coordinators, school principals, food vendors, and parents of adolescent girls. Teachers, food vendors, and parents were selected through school principals' recommendations. Data were analyzed using thematic and narrative analysis. RESULTS: The findings indicate that collaborative attitudes, contextual awareness, multidimensional motivation [emotional and policy-related], and high self-efficacy among various actors play a significant role in addressing adolescent malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that psychosocial aspects [attitudes, awareness, motivation, and self-efficacy] are crucial in shaping supportive school and home food environment to address the dual-triple burden of malnutrition among adolescent girls. It recommends cross-sector collaboration among schools, families, food vendors, and government, strengthening nutrition education, healthy canteen regulations, and community empowerment through psychosocial approaches to supports adolescent health in a sustainable manner.

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