scholarly journals Nutritional quality and acceptability of a weekly vegetarian lunch in primary-school canteens in Ghent, Belgium: ‘Thursday Veggie Day’

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2326-2330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem De Keyzer ◽  
Sven Van Caneghem ◽  
Anne-Louise M Heath ◽  
Barbara Vanaelst ◽  
Mia Verschraegen ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the nutritional adequacy and acceptability to children of vegetarian lunches served on ‘Thursday Veggie Day’ – a public health initiative in Ghent (Belgium) primary schools.DesignA comparison of food leftovers from main courses on regular days and Thursdays was made using a visual plate waste method. The nutritional value of the vegetarian meat analogue and meat components of main courses served on five ‘Thursday Veggie Days’ and five comparable conventional main courses was evaluated using three criteria (maximum 30 % of energy from fat, maximum of one-third of fat as saturated fat and minimum 1·5 g of dietary fibre per 420 kJ).SettingTwo canteens from primary schools in Ghent, Belgium, participating in the ‘Thursday Veggie Day’ campaign.SubjectsPrimary-school children aged between 6 and 12 years.ResultsIn total, 1242 and 472 main course plate waste observations of conventional and vegetarian menus, respectively, were evaluated. There was no significant difference in plate waste between vegetarian (16·7 %) and conventional (17·3 %) main courses. Overall, the five vegetarian components were found to be nutritionally adequate with a mean score of 2·2 out of 3, compared with 0·4 for the meat component. However, three of the vegetarian components provided >30 % of energy from fat and, in one, the amount of saturated fat exceeded one-third of total fat.ConclusionsVegetarian canteen meals offered as part of ‘Thursday Veggie Day’ appear to be nutritionally appropriate and as acceptable as conventional main courses to children in primary schools in Ghent.

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 300-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Murtagh ◽  
Maureen Mulvihill ◽  
Oonagh Markey

The school has been identified as a key setting to promote physical activity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a classroom-based activity break on in-school step counts of primary school children. Data for 90 children (49 boys, 41 girls, 9.3 ± 1.4 years) from three Irish primary schools is presented. In each school one class was randomly assigned as the intervention group and another as controls. Children’s step counts were measured for five consecutive days during school hours at baseline and follow-up. Teachers of the intervention classes led a 10 min activity break in the classroom each day (Bizzy Break!). Mean daily in-school steps for the intervention at baseline and follow-up were 5351 and 5054. Corresponding values for the control group were 5469 and 4246. There was a significant difference in the change in daily steps from baseline to follow-up between groups (p < .05). There was no evidence that girls and boys responded differently to the intervention (p > .05). Children participating in a daily 10 min classroom-based activity break undertake more physical activity during school hours than controls.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Alecia Leonard ◽  
Tessa Delaney ◽  
Kirsty Seward ◽  
Rachel Zoetemeyer ◽  
Hannah Lamont ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To assess differences between traditional paper bag ordering and online ordering from primary school canteens in terms of menu, usage and lunch order characteristics. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: New South Wales (NSW) primary schools that offered both paper bag and online canteen ordering. Participants: Students (aged 5–12 years) with a lunch order on the day of the observation. Results: Across the six school canteens, 59–90 % of all available items were listed on both the online and paper menus, with no significant differences in the nutritional quality (‘Everyday’/‘Occasional’) or nutritional content (kJ/saturated fat/sugar/sodium) of menu items. In total, 387 student lunch orders were placed, containing 776 menu items. Most orders (68 %) were placed online. There were no significant differences between order modality in the quantity of items ordered or the cost of orders, or the nutritional quality of orders based on the classification system of the NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy (‘Everyday’/’Occasional’). However, nutritional analysis revealed that paper bag orders contained 222 fewer kJ than online orders (P = 0·001), 0·65 g less saturated fat (P = 0·04) and 4·7 g less sugar (P < 0·001). Conclusions: Online canteens are commonly used to order canteen lunches for primary school children. This is the first study to investigate differences between traditional paper bag ordering and online ordering in this setting. Given the rapid increase in the use of online ordering systems in schools and other food settings and their potential to deliver public health nutrition interventions, additional research is warranted to further investigate differences in ordering modalities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
Mohd. Zailani Mohd. Yusuff ◽  
Mohamad Khairi Haji Othman ◽  
Asmawati Suhid ◽  
Rozalina Khalid

Social problems among students have become very serious in recent years. Therefore, the issues that need to be addressed are the practices that exist among them. This study will share a research finding that identifies the level of practice of applying noble values among primary school children. This study used qualitative research designs through interviews and observations and quantitative survey studies where data were collected through questionnaires involving 321 primary school children from four primary schools in the North Zone of Peninsular Malaysia. Overall, the findings show that the practice of noble values is admirable. This study found that there was a significant difference in values of noble practices in terms of school types. In addition, the findings also found that values of respect are the most dominant values practiced by primary school students followed by other values.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rufaida Nur Fitriana ◽  
Chriswardani Suryawati ◽  
Zubaidah Zubaidah

Background: The rate of incidence of physical assault on school children increases from year to year. Efforts to prevent child sexual violence can be done through school-based education with student empowerment.Objective: To identify the effect of education by peers on the knowledge and self-efficacy of primary school children in preventing sexual violence in Grabag Sub-district, Magelang regency.Methods: This study was a quasi experimental study with pretest and posttest non-equivalent control groups. A total of 84 school-aged children were purposively recruited from two different primary schools. Each group consisted of 42 respondents. Children's Knowledge of Abuse Questionnaire-Revised III (CKAQ-RIII) instrument was used to measure knowledge and self-efficacy questionnaire was measured for self-efficacy. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon and Chi-square testResults: The study showed that a statistically significant difference both in the variables of knowledge (P=0.008) and self-efficacy (p=0.000) in the intervention group after given peer education treatment.Conclusion: Educational interventions by peers can improve the knowledge and self-efficacy of primary school-aged children in preventing sexual violence. Peer education can be used as an effort to prevent sexual violence in children through school empowerment programs. 


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palash Das ◽  
Mausumi Basu ◽  
Gautam Dhar ◽  
Sarmila Mallik ◽  
Ranabir Pal

The nutritional status of children adversely affects their physical and mental growth. This study examined the nutritional status and morbidity pattern of government primary school children in north Kolkata of West Bengal, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 10 primary schools using interview techniques and anthropometric and clinical examinations. Of the 502 children, 40.2% children showed poor hygiene. The upper class students showed significantly poorer hygiene than that of lower class students. Anemia rate was 22.3% in these children and class II and III students showed significantly more anemia. Dental caries were found among 29.9% children and class II and III students showed significantly higher rate. About 10.4% children were found with enlarged tonsils and class I and III students showed higher prevalence. A major group of children (39.4%) gave the history of worm expulsion and the infestations of worms were observed significantly higher among lower class students. Vitamin B-complex deficit was observed among 20.7% and the deficiency was markedly observed among class II and IV students. Under-weight children were found in one-third of study population. There was no significant difference in nutrition among the participants from the various classes. There was no case of severe under-nutrition or stunting and wasting found in this study population. The findings of various nutritional status and morbidity patterns in this study highlight the needs to undertake various initiatives in relation to health promotion and prevention in primary schools.South East Asia J Public Health | Jan-June 2012 | Vol 2 Issue 1 | 13-17 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v2i1.15255


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-629
Author(s):  
Zeinab M. Monir ◽  
Ebtissam M. Salah El-Din ◽  
Inas R. El-Alameey ◽  
Gamal A. Yamamah ◽  
Hala S. Megahed ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Population of South Sinai has suffered from negligence for many years. Solving educational problems of this population is the main concern nowadays.AIM: To assess academic achievement in primary school children in South Sinai in relation to intelligence and psychosocial profile.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted on 407 Bedouin and urban students randomly selected from twelve public primary schools in six cities in South Sinai. Intelligence was assessed using Goodenough-Harris test. The midyear Arabic language and Arithmetic scores were used to assess academic achievement. The teachers completed a Pediatric-Symptom Checklist for evaluation of children behaviour.RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in academic achievement (P < 0.001), total psychosocial scores, (P < 0.05), and externalization (P < 0.05) was found between urban and Bedouin students with significant gender differences (P < 0.05). Highly significant positive correlations were observed between IQ percentile and mid-year Arabic language scores and Arithmetic scores (P < 0.001), and significant negative correlations with the total score of PSCL and its subscale scores (externalising, inattention, and internalising behaviour) (P < 0.001) among the students.CONCLUSION: Comorbid academic and psychosocial dysfunction in primary school children were observed in South Sinai. A national strategy to minimise the educational gap between Bedouin and urban areas should be implemented.


Author(s):  
Jonathan Muema Mwania

This study sought to determine whether there was any relationship between socio-economic class and the level of posttraumatic stress disorder resulting from the post election violence among primary school children in Kenya. The target population included all the standard seven pupils in six primary schools in Kibera and Kayole settlements. A proportionate random sample of 164 pupils in each location was selected. Three instruments were used. They were: Personal Experiences During Post Election Violence, Psychological Stability Scale, and Post Traumatic Experience Psychological Scale. The results showed that there was no significant difference between pupils of different socioeconomic status in levels of PTSD. It is recommended that children from all levels of socioeconomic status require post-violence services appropriate to their age, the scope and nature of the disaster, and their immediate circumstances. They should be provided with enhanced parent-teacher communications and there be available school psychologists and counselors trained in family intervention within the school setting. These are basic requirements for successful intervention and treatment of childhood posttraumatic stress disorder. The establishment of school-based programs from early childhood onward that teach conflict resolution, emotional literacy, and anger management skills is also desirable.


10.7575/c ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Negin Aalaei

The purpose of the study is to measure the effects of bilingualism on conflict regulation, cognitive control and recognition among primary school children. This study is a description study on primary school students in the city of Parse Abab, the branch of Ardabil, Iran that is studying in the school year 94-95. The sample consists of 120 students which include 60 boys and 60 girls. The samples were selected by randomly. In this study the questionnaires and tasks based on cognition and recognition was used. The questionnaires were collected from both groups were analyzed by SPSS software and SPSS software was used to measure mean, median, standard deviation, significance level, etc., and to analyze the hypotheses of variance by (MANOVA). The results showed that the bilingualism has direct effect on the conflict regulation, cognitive control and recognition among primary school children. There is significant difference among bilingual and monolingual students performance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the temporal aspects of bilingualism in relation to the conflict regulation, cognitive control and recognition of students in primary schools in bilingual areas. Other studies try to examines the effect of bilingualism on only one of the variables but this study consider three variable in order to show clearly its effect on each of the variables separately.


Author(s):  
Mohamed Hasin ◽  
C. R. Saju ◽  
Jenyz M. Mundodan ◽  
M. P. Jini

Background: The first teacher and everlasting support for a child is his/her mother. Mother–child bonds remain so strongly throughout one’s life in spite of the changing times and complexities of life. Literature suggests that elements of warmth and control from parents, especially mothers positively correlated with achievement and intellectual orientation in children. Objectives were to assess the various styles of mothering and its determinants in mothers of children studying in lower primary schools and residing in Adat panchayat, Thrissur, Kerala.Methods: A community based descriptive study was conducted among 315 mothers of lower primary school children residing in Adat panchayat, Thrissur. Data was collected using Parental Authority Questionnaire.Results: Mean age of mothers was 31.9 years. 73% mothers were practicing predominantly authoritative parenting style, 24% were authoritarian and only 3% were permissive style. The type of family and current age of mothers were significantly associated with the style of mothering. Mothering style did not differ with the gender of children. Occupation of mothers had a significant difference in proportion of parenting styles. The working status of either or both parents significantly influenced the mothering styles.Conclusions: Most mothers followed predominantly authoritative style. Responsive and demanding behaviour of mothers vary significantly with respect to type of family, current age and employment status.


2011 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 736-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Dresler-Hawke ◽  
Dean Whitehead ◽  
Leigh Parker

Background: Internationally, it is well established that the behaviour, performance, and achievement of schoolchildren is directly linked to the nutritional status of overall diet – including the contents of their school lunch-boxes. In a previous survey study by the lead authors, primary school children’s food consumption behaviour was investigated. Results indicated that most children’s lunch-boxes contained an over-representation of ‘undesirable’ food groups and an under-representation of fruit and vegetables. This follow-up study examined children’s awareness of healthy food choices and investigated what food groups children would choose if given free choice when constructing a lunch-box. Methods: The data was obtained by surveying 1,184 primary school children from eight different urban primary schools in the Manawatu Region of New Zealand. Food items included in this survey represented the 40 most common foods from the previous study. A series of accompanying food charts were used in combination with the checklists. From these lists the children were asked to construct a hypothetical ideal ‘dream’ lunch-box and a ‘healthy’ lunch-box. Results: Results indicated a significant difference between the fruit and vegetable content between lunch-boxes, demonstrating that children understood fruit and vegetables are healthy – but that they did not necessarily translate this knowledge into action. Conclusion: The influences on children’s choices in fruit and vegetables are as complex as the barriers to them eating. This study offers unique insight into the knowledge and behaviours of schoolchildren when selecting and consuming fruit and vegetables – especially given a degree of autonomy and choice.


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