Peer-reviewed article
Parent Perceptions of School Meals as Predictors of Participation Among Pacific Islander Families in the United States.
Spruance LA, Santamaria D, Hall S ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study surveyed 150 Pacific Islander parents in the United States about their perceptions of school meal programs and their children's participation. Nearly half of children did not regularly participate in school breakfast, and nearly one-third did not regularly participate in school lunch. Parent perceptions of family benefits from school meals were strongly associated with higher participation, while negative perceptions reduced breakfast participation. The researchers conclude that culturally appropriate outreach and improvements to meal quality could increase participation among Pacific Islander families.
Key points
- Nearly 50% of Pacific Islander children surveyed did not regularly participate in school breakfast programs
- 31% of children did not regularly participate in the national school lunch program
- Perceived family benefits significantly increased odds of participation in both breakfast and lunch
- Negative perceptions of meals reduced breakfast participation
- Participation was higher among families eligible for free or reduced-price meals
Limitations
The study is cross-sectional and cannot establish causation. It captures only parent perceptions at one point in time and does not evaluate the actual nutritional outcomes or health impacts of participation on children.
Abstract
Background Pacific Islander families in the United States experience high rates of food insecurity and diet-related chronic disease. School meal programs can improve nutrition and reduce family burdens, yet little is known about Pacific Islander parents' perceptions of these programs. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 150 Pacific Islander parents of K-12 public school students across the United States Parents reported their child's participation in the school breakfast program (SBP) and national school lunch program (NSLP), perceptions of school meals, and demographic characteristics. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of daily/almost daily participation. Results Nearly half of children did not regularly participate in SBP, and 31% did not regularly participate in NSLP. Participation was higher among those eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Perceived family benefits significantly increased the odds of both breakfast and lunch participation, while negative perceptions reduced participation in breakfast. Implications for school health policy, practice, and equity Findings suggest culturally appropriate outreach emphasizing family benefits and improving meal quality and variety may increase participation among Pacific Islander families. Conclusions Parent perceptions strongly shape school meal participation. Enhancing awareness, access, and cultural relevance may reduce disparities and improve health equity.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- School breakfast and lunch programs with outreach and culturally appropriate communication emphasizing family benefits
- Population
- Pacific Islander families with K-12 children in United States public schools (n=150 parents)
Key finding
Nearly 50% of children did not regularly participate in school breakfast program
LA et al. · Europe PMC · 1 Jun 2026