ABSTRACT
This research draws on the principles of health promotion and population health. Nutbeam (1996) defines health promotion as public health action intended to improve an individual’s control over modifiable determinants of health such as behaviors, public policy, and living and working conditions. In this way, health (e.g. reduced morbidity and mortality, disability, quality of life) and social (e.g. equity) outcomes are the result of healthy lifestyles (e.g. making healthy food choices, being physically active), health services (e.g. prevention services), and healthy environments (e.g. safe physical environment, supportive social and economic conditions). Nutbeam (1996) also posits that health promotion actions such as education, social mobilization and advocacy are key determinants of health promotion outcomes, including health literacy, social action, and healthy public policy and practice. The focus of the current research is an evaluation of a particular health promoting intervention, namely a policy to support healthy consumption of food and beverages in schools.
