Dr. Lilian de Jonge, assistant professor in the CHHS Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, is partnering with Real Food for Kids to lead research for the Lunch Room Environment Study. George Mason students are assisting de Jonge with the research. The study, funded by the Northern Virginia Health Foundation, will “provide critical insights into the factors that influence students’ eating habits at school and the interventions that could lead to improved health and wellness,” says Jenn Yates, executive director of Real Food for Kids.
Professor de Jonge and the students are partnering with researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University for this study, and recently wrapped up year one. Researchers surveyed students and staff to assess their impressions of school lunch rooms and observed the lunch rooms to rate them on factors like crowding, noise, lighting, and supervision. Once the data is analyzed, the researchers will focus on one lunch room environmental factor and work to improve the environment.
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