The sociopsychological importance of food in hospital. Evaluation of a new meal system in a children's cancer ward

Malnutrition of patients in hospitals is a subject that is fairly well described in the medical literature, but less attention has been paid to the social significance of food in hospitals. This article describes a study of the social and psychological impact of the introduction of a new meal delivery system in a children's cancer ward. A traditional centralized meal system was replaced by a staffed local kitchen. The evaluation involved questionnaires to the children, parents and staff members; qualitative, indepth, semi-structured interviews with subgroups; observations of meals. Children, staff and parents greatly preferred the new meal system, which changed the significance of food and meals in the hospital: from an arena of conflict and problems to one with a greatly enhanced social status. The article underlines that it is important to integrate socio-psychological and nutritional aspects of food and eating if malnutrition in hospitals is to be overcome.