Journal of Health Sciences Perspective

en Evaluating the Nutritional Status of Elementary School Food Environments in Ilam, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study School Health School Health پژوهشي Research Introduction: School environments are key in shaping children's dietary habits and countering the global shift toward unhealthy foods. Given the lack of comprehensive data on primary school canteens in Ilam, this study was conducted to assess their nutritional status and inform targeted interventions. Materials & Methods: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2025–2026 academic year on all public elementary schools in Ilam city, western Iran (N=54). Because the entire target population was accessible, a census was conducted, and all eligible schools were included in the study. Data were collected using a researcher made checklist, comprising four domains: physical space, equipment, food items offered and vendor qualifications. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 18) (p<0.05). Results:  Evaluation of 54 primary school canteens in Ilam City showed vendor qualifications had the highest favorability (72.3%), while equipment was the weakest domain desirability (48.15 %). No significant correlation was found with school population size (r=0.161, P=0.245) or gender (P=0.162). Health caregiver and committee variables were uniform across all schools and could not be analyzed. Conclusion:  This study revealed significant inequalities in school canteen nutritional quality, with equipment as the most critical domain (48.15% desirability). The lack of correlation with school size and gender suggests resource allocation should prioritize qualitative needs and equity. Longitudinal and qualitative research is recommended to evaluate interventions and identify implementation barriers.   ,Nutrition,Schools,Food Environment,Ilam 10 17 http://jhsp.medilam.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-33-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Khadijeh Najafi Ghobadi kh.najafi420@gmail.com 1003194753284600499 1003194753284600499 No Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Maliheh Saeed firoozabadi s.firoozabadi_m@yahoo.com 1003194753284600500 1003194753284600500 No The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran Mahtab Azizkhani az_mahtab13@yahoo.com 1003194753284600501 1003194753284600501 No Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Zohreh Raeisi zohi.raiisi80@gmail.com 1003194753284600502 1003194753284600502 No Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran Roghayeh Chenary chenaryr@yahoo.com 1003194753284600503 1003194753284600503 Yes Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran