(P15-037-24) Perceptions and Drivers of Healthier Food and Beverage Stocking in Urban and Rural Indonesian Primary School Canteens

Objectives: Obesity is rising in Indonesia, especially among school-aged children. One-third of children’s daily calories come from school food vendors (‘canteens’) which favor processed snacks, high-sugar beverages, and lack fruits, vegetables, and proteins. Given the need for healthier options in schools, we sought to formatively (1) assess perceptions (taste, acceptability) and (2) identify food choice drivers of selected items to be stocked and promoted in school canteens.

Methods: Canteen owners (n=5) and school staff who oversee canteens in a managerial role (n=5) were recruited from five urban (n=2) and rural (n=3) schools located in Magelang, Indonesia. Five food and beverage items, selected for nutritional content and feasibility of procurement, were assessed in researcher-led taste tests. Participants were asked to consider potential acceptability by children and rate the items on a 3-point hedonic scale. In-depth interviews (IDIs) further examining acceptability and food choice were conducted in Bahasa, transcribed, and translated to English. Data were triangulated for key themes.

Results: Participants varied in their perceptions of taste and nutritional-content based on their role within the canteen (owner vs. manager). Out of the five items tested, IndoMilk (multi-cereal dairy beverage) was the most liked (n=9/10), and was viewed as being acceptable for stocking and selling in canteens, followed by sate telur puyuh (quail egg skewers) (n=8/10) and sate buah (fruit skewers) (n=7/10). Gethuk (traditional cassava, coconut snack) (n=4/10) and polo pendum (various tubers and peanuts) (n=0/10) were viewed as being unappealing to children and therefore unsuitable for selling in the canteens. Interviews revealed that the nutrition composition and affordability of items are the main drivers of choice for children, in addition to individual taste preferences. Participants also underscored the importance of profitability when determining the price of the items stocked.

Conclusions: Indonesian school canteens tend to offer high-calorie, low-nutrient options. Children’s preference (taste, appeal) and ability to afford foods are primary considerations for canteen stocking and pricing. This formative study identified several healthier options suitable for consideration. A future planned intervention will leverage these findings to improve school food environments, increase diet quality, and reduce risk for obesity in this setting.

Funding Sources: George G. Graham Professorship Endowment Fund and Alma Ata University