Introduction
The article “A qualitative study of independent fast-food vendors near secondary schools in disadvantaged Scottish neighborhoods” by Estrade et al. primarily sought to explore and navigate the barriers toward offering healthier menu options. In addition, the study aimed to analyze and examine the challenges that owners of independent small businesses encounter while improving and making changes to the nutritional quality of their menu options.
Main body
It is clear from the article that over recent years, preventing and reducing adolescent and childhood obesity has been regarded as a growing priority in the majority of the countries across the globe. However, the data collection process was based on the marginalized areas of Scotland (Estrade et al., 2014). As adolescents tend to spend much time in school, strategies for improving the food environment inside and around the school must be considered (Crawford et al., 2017). In the UK, nutrient-standard meals are compulsory, but most secondary school students buy foods outside the schools which may be below the required standards.
Obesity in childhood is perceived as a sign of poor health. Nonetheless, the data collected from nine European countries clearly illustrated that socioeconomic status is linked to adolescent diet quality in most scenarios. The association or connection was much bigger in the Northern parts of the European countries. In addition, the study also concluded that the European students had a higher understanding of diet and nutrition, therefore, concluding that interventions were essential for the lower-income groups (Crawford et al., 2017). Qualitative interviews with the fast-food shop managers were conducted to establish and determine the existing barriers to offering better and healthier alternative menus. The recruitment process primarily targeted the shops near secondary schools in low-income-generating areas that were independently owned. Ten interviews were conducted and recorded, and others were transcribed to aid in the analysis process.
Nevertheless, five themes arose from the data collection and analysis: the pride level in the sold items and commodities, individual form of responsibility and autonomy, demands of the customer, and most importantly, the neighborhood context. Most interviewees expressed consistent pride in the various types of foods they were selling or selling, most of the food made locally (Estrade et al. 2014). They also felt the general well-being and eating of healthy foods was an individual’s primary responsibility. However, most vendors were uncomfortable as they felt like they were struggling financially to maintain their profits. In most cases, the low-income neighborhood context would have made bringing changes more difficult.
Several other vendors also who were interviewed lacked the required basic knowledge of implementing the healthy food guidelines. In the UK, several states have developed appropriate strategies and techniques for educating the vendors about health care and food guidelines (Crawford et al., 2017). In addition, in the deprived regions, more incentive is required to reach or access these areas. An illustration is a strategy implemented in Northern Ireland that offers a $201 grant to the individuals and businesses engaging in the Healthier Takeaways Project.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the interventions, strategies, and policies targeting the food environment around schools must also examine and consider the neighborhood context. In addition, there is also a higher probability of the independent shops in the deprived regions encountering critical barriers to offering a variety of healthy foods. This illustrates that this study does not contradict any other research as it presents a true and fair view of the research that was carried out. Additionally, it does not indicate any form of bias, especially on the used sources, as the evidence it provides is sufficient.
References
Crawford, F., Mackison, D., Mooney, J. D., & Ellaway, A. (2017). Observation and assessing the nutritional quality of ‘out of school foods popular with secondary school pupils at lunchtime. BMC Public Health, 17(1), 1-9. Web.
Estrade, M., Dick, S., Crawford, F., Jepson, R., Ellaway, A., & McNeill, G. (2014). A qualitative study of independent fast food vendors near secondary schools in disadvantaged Scottish neighborhoods. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 1-8. Web.