Food and nutrient intakes of primary school children: a comparison of school meals and packed lunches

Background: Organization of school meals remains one of the important elements of preserving health of schoolchildren. The influence of the alimentary factor is most pronounced in the “sensitive periods” of childhood, one of which is primary school age. Our objective was to do hygienic assessment of nutrition of primary school children in the city of Smolensk and compliance of school diets with the principles of rational and adequate nutrition. Materials and methods: The object of the study included ten educational institutions representing all districts of Smolensk and contractors providing services for organization of school meals. The hygienic assessment of organization of school meals and actual nutrition of primary school children (grades 1–4, 7–11 years of age) was based on valid sanitary regulations. School breakfast and lunch were evaluated from a hygienic point of view. Results: We established that the school diets of younger schoolchildren in urban educational institutions were deficient in nutritional composition and caloric content, irrational and insufficiently balanced. School meals were characterized by a 1.5–1.6 times lower caloric content compared to the dietary reference intake due to a reduced content of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The contents of microelements and vitamins were on the average by 10–67% and 15–69% lower than the recommended norms of physiological requirements of schoolchildren of this age group. The lack of fresh fruit and milk in school meals was another unfavorable factor in nutrition of schoolchildren. Conclusion: Our results dictate the need to optimize the diets of schoolchildren and to strengthen production control and sanitary and epidemiologic surveillance of compliance with hygienic requirements for catering in urban educational institutions.

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School meals, school milk and height of primary school children in England and Scotland in the eighties.

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech.43.1.66 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 66-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

R J Rona ◽

S Chinn

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Primary School Children ◽

School Meals

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Dietary intake of energy, nutrients and phenolic compounds in Italian primary school children and their environmental impact

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120001615 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Alice Rosi ◽

Pedro Mena ◽

Beatrice Biasini ◽

Furio Brighenti ◽

Daniele Del Rio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Environmental Impact ◽

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Environmental Sustainability ◽

Nutritional Composition ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Primary School Children ◽

School Age Children ◽

Nutrient Intakes

AbstractData from observational and interventional studies demonstrate the key role of diet on both human health and environmental sustainability. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the environmental impact of children's dietary behavior. In this regard, detailed information on population-level intakes is required to translate these findings into possible recommendations.The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional composition of the diet and its related environmental impact in a sample of Italian primary school children (n = 200, 8–11 years, 52% F - 48% M).Children completed a 3-day food record twice, in winter and spring. Dietary records were processed to obtain mean daily data on food group intakes. Mean daily energy and nutrient intakes were computed applying the Italian food database of the European Institute of Oncology, while (poly)phenolic compound contents were estimated from the Phenol-Explorer or by specific searches in the most up to date scientific literature. The mean daily environmental impact was estimated through the Barilla Center for Food and Nutrition environmental database taking into account the carbon footprint and ecological footprint. Children's BMI was calculated by measuring height and weight at the beginning of each assessment week.No differences in children's BMI as well as in the consumption of food groups were found between the two seasons. The intra-individual variability was low but a high inter-individual variability was registered. Energy and nutrient intakes were similar between the two seasons and were found to be in line with national data referred to school age children. Adherence to the Italian nutritional recommendations (LARN) was not satisfied for total fats, sugars, and some vitamins and minerals. The main contributors to the phenolic intake were flavonoids and phenolic acids, while the most representative subclasses were flavan-3-ols and hydroxycinnamic acids. Main dietary sources of (poly)phenolic compounds were fruit juices, apples, pears, potatoes, and tomatoes. Carbon and ecological footprints were higher during winter and the main dietary contributors were red meat; milk, yogurt and dairies; pizza and focaccia, for both indexes.This study provided the first comprehensive analysis of the nutritional composition and the environmental impact of Italian primary school children diet. Further research is needed to evaluate children habitual diet for investigating a possible relationship between health and environmental sustainability. Moreover, school education programs have to be implemented for promoting healthy and sustainable dietary behaviors.

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A comparison of British school meals and packed lunches from 1990 to 2007: meta-analysis by lunch type

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114510001601 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 104 (4) ◽

pp. 474-487 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Charlotte E. L. Evans ◽

Christine L. Cleghorn ◽

Darren C. Greenwood ◽

Janet E. Cade

Keyword(s):

Primary School ◽

School Children ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Primary School Children ◽

School Meals ◽

School Meal ◽

Sugar Intake

Primary school children in the UK have the choice of a school meal provided by the school or a packed lunch provided from home. Currently, more than half of primary school children have a packed lunch. New food-based standards for school meals were introduced in English primary schools in 2006, followed by nutrient-based standards in 2008. No formal comparisons of primary school lunches by lunch type have been undertaken to date. The present review identified seven studies from 1990 to 2007 measuring lunchtime nutrient intake in children aged 5–11 years having a school meal and children having a packed lunch. Pooled estimates for each nutrient were as follows: energy intake was 543 (95 % CI 233, 854) kJ higher in packed lunches; total sugar intake was 14·0 (95 % CI 10·3, 17·7) g higher in packed lunches; non-milk extrinsic sugar intake was 11·7 (95 % CI 7·3, 16·2) g higher in packed lunches; saturated fat intake was 4·7 (95 % CI 2·4, 7·1) g higher in packed lunches and Na intake was 357 (95 % CI 174, 539) mg higher in packed lunches. Differences between school meals and packed lunches were larger for all nutrients after the introduction of food-based standards compared with the period of no standards. However, differences between before and after standards did not reach statistical significance. The nutritional quality of packed lunches is poor compared with school meals. The introduction of food-based standards for school meals in 2006 has moderately improved the nutrient content of school meals, slightly widening the nutritional gap between school meals and packed lunches.

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