scholarly journals Children’s lunchtime food choices following the introduction of food-based standards for school meals: observations from six primary schools in Sheffield

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Golley ◽  
Jo Pearce ◽  
Michael Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Meat Products ◽  
School Lunch ◽  
School Meals ◽  
School Lunches ◽  
School Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Nutrient Density ◽  
Food Standards

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the lunchtime choices and nutritional intake of primary-school-aged children in England 4 months after the introduction of interim food-based standards for school lunches.DesignCross-sectional 2 d weighed food records collected in January and February 2007.SettingSix primary schools in Sheffield, England.SubjectsOne hundred and twenty-three pupils aged 8–10 years.ResultsVegetables (81 % v. 8 %) and cakes and biscuits (43 % v. 23 %) were chosen more frequently by pupils consuming a school lunch, while fruit (40 % v. 36 %), meat products (18 % v. 14 %), confectionery (72 % v. 0 %), savoury snacks (69 % v. 0 %) and drinks not meeting the school food standards (40 % v. 0 %) were chosen more often by pupils eating a packed lunch. Mean energy intake was lower in the school lunch group compared with the packed lunch group (1402 (sd 573) v. 2192 (sd 619), P = 0·005). Nutrient density (per MJ energy) was significantly better in school meals for key nutrients including protein (9·8 (sd 2·7) v. 6·3 (sd 1·9) g), fat (7·4 (sd 2·7) v. 10·6 (sd 2·8) g), NSP (2·8 (sd 1·3) v. 1·1 (sd 0·4) g), vitamin A (151·3 (sd 192·8) v. 69·1 (sd 55·6) μg), folate (29·6 (sd 11·6) v. 17·0 (sd 7·0) μg), iron (1·3 (sd 0·3) v. 0·9 (sd 0·3) mg) and zinc (1·1 (sd 0·4) v. 0·7 (sd 0·3) mg).ConclusionsSchools were largely compliant with the interim food-based standards for school meals 4 months after their introduction. Within the context of the new standards, children taking a school lunch are more likely to eat a more nutritious lunch, in terms of less high-fat/salt/sugar foods and nutrient density. The introduction of nutrient-based standards is warranted. Efforts to improve the lunchtime intake of children taking a packed lunch are also required.

scholarly journals Impact of school lunch type on nutritional quality of English children’s diets

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte EL Evans ◽  
Vera Mandl ◽  
Meaghan S Christian ◽  
Janet E Cade
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Food Diary ◽  
School Lunches ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Meal ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
Quality Diet

AbstractObjectiveNutrient and food standards exist for school lunches in English primary schools although packed lunches brought from home are not regulated. The aim of the present study was to determine nutritional and dietary differences by lunch type.DesignA cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2007 assessing diet using the Child and Diet Evaluation Tool (CADET), a validated 24 h estimated food diary. The data were analysed to determine nutritional and dietary intakes over the whole day by school meal type: school meals and packed lunches.SettingFifty-four primary schools across England.SubjectsChildren (n 2709) aged 6–8 years.ResultsChildren having a packed lunch consumed on average 11·0 g more total sugars (95 % CI 6·6, 15·3 g) and 101 mg more Na (95 % CI 29, 173 mg) over the whole day. Conversely, children having a school meal consumed, on average, 4·0 g more protein (95 % CI 2·3, 5·7 g), 0·9 g more fibre (NSP; 95 % CI 0·5, 1·3 g) and 0·4 mg more Zn (95 % CI 0·1, 0·6 mg). There was no difference in daily energy intake by lunch type. Children having a packed lunch were more likely to consume snacks and sweetened drinks; while children having a school meal were more likely to consume different types of vegetables and drink water over the whole day.ConclusionsCompared with children having a school meal, children taking a packed lunch to school consumed a lower-quality diet over the whole day, including higher levels of sugar and Na and fewer vegetables. These findings support the introduction of policies that increase school meal uptake.

scholarly journals School lunches v. packed lunches: a comparison of secondary schools in England following the introduction of compulsory school food standards

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1037-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Stevens ◽  
Jo Nicholas ◽  
Lesley Wood ◽  
Michael Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
School Lunches ◽  
School Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
Average School ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractObjectivesTo compare food choices and nutrient intakes of pupils taking a school lunch or a packed lunch in eighty secondary schools in England, following the introduction of the food-based and nutrient-based standards for school food.DesignCross-sectional data collected between October 2010 and April 2011. Pupils’ lunchtime food choices were recorded over five consecutive days.SettingSecondary schools, England.SubjectsA random selection of 5925 pupils having school lunches and 1805 pupils having a packed lunch in a nationally representative sample of eighty secondary schools in England.ResultsThe differences in the specific types of food and drink consumed by the two groups of pupils are typical of differences between a hot and cold meal. On average, school lunches as eaten contained significantly more energy, carbohydrate, protein, fibre, vitamin A, folate, Fe and Zn than packed lunches, and 8 % less Na.ConclusionsAlthough neither school lunches nor packed lunches provided the balance of nutrients required to meet the nutrient-based standards (based on about one-third of daily energy and nutrient requirements), school lunches generally had a healthier nutrient profile, with lower Na and percentage of energy from fat, and higher fibre and micronutrient content. These differences were greater than those reported prior to the introduction of compulsory standards for school lunches. In order to ensure more pupils have a healthy lunch, schools could introduce and enforce a packed lunch policy or make school meals the only option at lunchtime.

scholarly journals Energy and Nutritional Composition of School Lunches in Slovenia: The Results of a Chemical Analysis in the Framework of the National School Meals Survey

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4287
Author(s):  
Rok Poličnik ◽  
Katja Rostohar ◽  
Barbara Škrjanc ◽  
Barbara Koroušić Seljak ◽  
Urška Blaznik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Chemical Analysis ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
School Lunch ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Dietary Fats ◽  
School Meals ◽  
School Lunches

Background: Slovenia similar to some European countries has a long tradition of the organized system of school meals. The present survey aimed to compare school lunch composition in Slovene primary schools (n = 40) with the national dietary guidelines; Methods: The survey took place from January to September 2020. Sampling of a 5-day school lunch (n = 200) for adolescents aged 10 to 13 years, were performed in schools. Chemical analysis was provided by an accredited national laboratory. Results: The median energy value of school lunches was 2059 kJ (24% of the recommended daily energy intake). The school lunches contained 24.8 g of proteins, 52.9 g of carbohydrates and 16.7 g of dietary fats. Saturated fatty acids represent 4.7 g, polyunsaturated fatty acids 4.7 g, monounsaturated fatty acids 5.8 g, and industrial trans fats 0.2 g/100 g of a meal (1.2 g/meal). Dietary fibre represented 7.8 g, free sugars for 14.7 g and salt for 3.9 g; Conclusions: The survey showed lower values for energy, carbohydrates and total fats in school lunches as recommended, and exceeded values of salt, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

scholarly journals Relationships between children’s sugar consumption at home and their food choices and consumption at school lunch

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (16) ◽  
pp. 2941-2949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khlood Baghlaf ◽  
Vanessa Muirhead ◽  
Cynthia Pine
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Lunch ◽  
School Meals ◽  
School Food ◽  
High Sugar ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
Purposive Sample ◽  
Health Programmes ◽  
At Home

AbstractObjective:To investigate the relationships between children’s food and drink choices at school lunch for children who consume high and low sugar intakes at home.Design:Children’s food and drink consumption at home was assessed using diet diaries over three consecutive days. Children were classified as ‘high’ or ‘low’ sugar consumers at home using the WHO recommendation that free sugars should be less than 10 % of their daily total energy intake. A purposive sample of children was then selected and observed during school lunch, recording food selections, food left on plates and content of packed lunches.Setting:Six primary schools in Newham and Kent, England.Participants:Parents and children aged 6–7 years.Results:Seventy-one parents completed diet diaries. From the seventy-one, thirty-nine children were observed during school lunch. Twenty children were high sugar consumers, nineteen children were low sugar consumers; thirty-one children had a school meal. Eleven of the fifteen children (73 %) who had school meals and who were high sugar consumers selected a high-sugar dessert rather than fruit. Only five of the sixteen (31 %) children who had school meals and were low sugar consumers at home chose a high-sugar dessert. Most of the children who had packed lunches had sweet items, despite school policies.Conclusions:Children who consumed high sugar intake at home tended to select foods high in sugar for school meals or had packed lunches containing high-sugar foods. The implications for public health programmes include healthy eating workshops and implementing school food policies.

scholarly journals Food and drink consumption at school lunchtime: the impact of lunch type and contribution to overall intake in British 9–10-year-old children

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1132-1139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flo Harrison ◽  
Amy Jennings ◽  
Andy Jones ◽  
Ailsa Welch ◽  
Esther van Sluijs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
School Meals ◽  
School Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Meal ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
Sectional Analysis ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the differences in dietary intakes of children consuming school meals and packed lunches, the contribution of lunchtime intake to overall dietary intake, and how lunchtime intake relates to current food-based recommendations for school meals.DesignCross-sectional analysis of overall intake of macronutrients and food choice from 4 d food diaries and school lunchtime intake from the two diary days completed while at school.SettingNorfolk, UK.SubjectsOne thousand six hundred and twenty-six children (aged 9–10 years) attending ninety Norfolk primary schools.ResultsAt school, lunchtime school meal eaters consumed more vegetables, sweet snacks, chips, starchy foods and milk, and less squash/cordial, fruit, bread, confectionery and savoury snacks than packed lunch eaters. These differences were also reflected in the overall diet. On average school meal eaters met the School Food Trust (SFT) food-based standards, while food choices among packed lunch eaters were less healthy. The contribution of food consumed at school lunchtime to overall diet varied by food and lunch type, ranging from 0·8 % (milk intake in packed lunches) to 74·4 % (savoury snack intake in packed lunches).ConclusionsThere were significant differences in the foods consumed by school meal and packed lunch eaters, with food choices among school meal eaters generally in line with SFT standards. The food choices made at school lunchtime make a significant contribution to overall diet.

scholarly journals The impact of the food-based and nutrient-based standards on lunchtime food and drink provision and consumption in primary schools in England

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalia Haroun ◽  
Clare Harper ◽  
Lesley Wood ◽  
Michael Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
School Lunches ◽  
School Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Zn Content ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveTo assess lunchtime provision of food and drink in English primary schools and to assess both choices and consumption of food and drink by pupils having school lunches. These findings were compared with similar data collected in 2005.DesignCross-sectional data collected between February and April 2009. In each school, food and drink provision, including portion weights and number of portions of each item served at lunchtime, were recorded over five consecutive days. Caterers provided school lunchtime menus and recipes.SettingEngland.SubjectsA random selection of 6696 pupils having school lunches in a nationally representative sample of 136 primary schools in England.ResultsCompared with 2005, schools in 2009 provided significantly more fruit, fruit-based desserts, vegetables and salad, water and fruit juice, and less ketchup, sauces and gravy, starchy foods cooked in fat, snacks and confectionery (P < 0·01). Pupils were also making healthier choices, choosing an average of 2·2 portions of fruit and vegetables from their ‘five a day’, but about one-third to two-fifths of these were wasted.ConclusionsLunchtime food provision and consumption in primary schools have improved substantially since 2005, following the introduction of new standards for school food in 2008. However, improvements still need to be made to increase the Fe and Zn content and to decrease the Na content of recipes, and in encouraging pupils to eat more of the fruits and vegetables taken at lunchtime.

scholarly journals Meeting school food standards – students’ food choice and free school meals

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 2162-2168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Ensaff ◽  
Jean Russell ◽  
Margo E Barker
Keyword(s):  
Food Choice ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Day School ◽  
School Meals ◽  
School Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Free School ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
Sectional Analysis

AbstractObjectiveTo examine students’ school food choice in relation to school food standards and entitlement to free school meals (FSM).DesignCross-sectional analysis of students’ school food choices.SettingTwo large secondary schools in Yorkshire, England.SubjectsStudents (n 2660) aged 11–18 years.ResultsSandwiches and pizza were the most popular main food items: 40·4 % and 31·2 %, respectively, in School A; 48·3 % and 27·3 %, respectively, in School B. More nutritionally valuable ‘dishes of the day’ accounted for 8·7 % and 8·3 % of main foods for School A and School B, respectively. FSM students were more likely (P < 0·0 0 1) to choose main foods (School A: FSM 87·04 %, non-FSM 70·28 %; School B: FSM 75·43 %, non-FSM 56·13 %). Dishes of the day were chosen on a significantly greater (P < 0·0 0 1) percentage of days by FSM v. non-FSM students (School A: FSM 15·67 %, non-FSM 7·11 %; School B: FSM 19·42 %, non-FSM 5·17 %).ConclusionsDespite the availability of nutritionally valuable dishes of the day, the most popular food items were sandwiches, pizza and desserts. FSM students were more likely to choose the more nutritionally valuable dish of the day. School food standards should be reassessed in light of students’ preferences.

scholarly journals Determinants of food security and availability of healthy and safe nutrition - food security of children in rural Punjab, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 296 ◽  
pp. 07003
Author(s):  
Kavita Sharma ◽  
Sachin Sharma ◽  
Deepak Sood
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Students ◽  
School Food ◽  
Security Systems ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Food Borne

It is critical to ensure that the availability of food, as well as food safety, are preserved in food security systems. This has substantial consequences on the health of world’s population. Food safety deals with food-borne disease, and it focuses on how, where, and what food is handled, prepared, and stored. The healthiness of a diet depends on the nutritional quality of its food. Food security is a multifaceted concept that takes into account several issues and projects throughout the globe. The findings from this study are intended to provide insight into the food security of children in rural Punjab, India. To study the possibility to establish sustainable programmes that assure hot meals for school students in rural Punjab, the primary goal of the research is to do so. Researchers in Punjab have not done any equivalent scholarly study focusing on food security from an economic standpoint. In-depth nondirective interviews were used to find out what experienced professionals thought. The findings reveal the need to increase family and school food resources to meet the nutritional requirements of children in rural regions. Additionally, offering hot meals in primary schools in impoverished communities is justifiable since poor nutrition among school-aged children has both short-term and long-term impacts on their academic success and development. These findings lead to management implications for policy makers who want to measure the effectiveness of national and state funded educational programmes.

scholarly journals The role of the school food environment in improving the healthiness of school canteens and the readiness to reopen post COVID-19 pandemic: A study conducted in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamam Hadi ◽  
Resti K. Triastanti ◽  
Devita Anggraeni ◽  
Esti Nurwanti ◽  
Emma C. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Study Data ◽  
School Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Print Material ◽  
School Canteen

Background: Indonesian school children spend one-third of their time in school, where they are exposed to a variety of foods at school canteens. However, the healthiness of school canteens is not yet well understood. This study was conducted to (1) characterize the healthiness and quality of management of school canteens, and (2) measure readiness of school canteens to reopen following COVID-19 closures.Design and Methods: Mixed-methods were used to conduct a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from schools located in the Bantul District of Indonesia. Primary schools (n=152) were randomly selected, with a final sample size of 147. Data were collected using Google Forms, delivered via WhatsApp or email. School canteens were classified as healthy if they had a Healthy Canteen Score (HCS) >= 10, or unhealthy if they had a HCS < 10.Results: Less than half (43.5%) of school canteens were deemed to be healthy. School canteens were more likely to be healthy if the canteen manager had a formal decision letter (OR=15.2; 95% CI=3.7-62.5); used print material messaging (OR= 3.2 to 4.6 times); or received inspection by external officers periodically (OR=2.8; 95% CI= 1.04-7.5). Readiness to reopen was 4.5 (OR=4.5; 95%CI: 1.1-17.9) times higher among schools that had their own canteen, and 4 (OR=3.9; 95% CI =1.1-13.8) times higher among schools located in rural areas, adjusting for the remaining variables.Conclusions: School canteen healthiness can be improved by implementing national food policy and healthy school canteen standards accompanied by the existence of good management practices within schools, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Predictors of blood pressure in a cohort of school-aged children

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 624-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Mirzaei ◽  
Richard Taylor ◽  
Stephen Morrell ◽  
Stephen R. Leeder
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
European Society Of Cardiology ◽  
Current Weight

Objectives To examine anthropometric measures and birthweight as predictors of blood pressure (BP) in a cohort of children. Design Cross-sectional and longitudinal study comprising baseline anthropometric and BP measurements conducted in 1994 ( n = 1230), with follow-up in 1997 ( n = 628). Setting Seventy-five inner-Sydney primary schools. Participants School children aged 8-9 years at baseline and 11-12 years at follow-up. Main outcome measures Systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP). Study factors Current weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHR), weight gain since birth and birth weight. Potential confounders: age, sex and socioeconomic status (on the basis of the area of residence). Results Current weight was significantly associated with both SBP and DBP in boys and girls at baseline and follow-up. BMI and WC were similar predictors of SBP and DBP in each survey, but longitudinal BMI change has a stronger association with SBP ( r = 0.43, P <0.001) and DBP ( r = 0.26, P < 0.001) than changes in WC (r = 0.18, P < 0.001 for SBP and r = 0.16, P < 0.001 for DBP) and WHR in boys with the similar results for girls. The unadjusted associations between SBP and DBP and birthweight were nonsignificant. After adjustments for age, height and socioeconomic status, however, the association becomes negative and significant in boys (β = −1.47, P = 0.04 for SBP and β = −1.33, P = 0.03 for DBP). Conclusion Longitudinal change in BMI is a better predictor of BP than change in WC or the WHR, although cross-sectional measurements of BMI and WC are very similar predictors of BP. In preventing subsequent adverse effects on BP, attending to body weight during childhood is important. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 14:624-629 © 2007 The European Society of Cardiology

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