scholarly journals A repeated cross-sectional survey assessing changes in diet and nutrient quality of English primary school children’s packed lunches between 2006 and 2016

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e029688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Elizabeth Louise Evans ◽  
Kathryn Elizabeth Melia ◽  
Holly L Rippin ◽  
Neil Hancock ◽  
Janet Cade
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Multilevel Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nutrient Quality ◽  
School Meal ◽  
Sugary Drinks ◽  
Sweet Foods

ObjectiveMandatory school meal standards were introduced in 2006 in England; however, no legislation exists for packed lunches. This study analyses provision of foods and nutrients in packed lunches in 2016 to highlight differences in diet and nutrient quality since 2006.DesignTwo cross-sectional surveys of children’s packed lunches were conducted in 2006 and 2016. Data were analysed using multilevel regression models taking into account the clustering of children within primary schools.SettingData were collected from 1148 children who attended 76 schools across England in 2006 and from 323 children attending 18 schools across England in 2016.ParticipantsChildren were included if they regularly ate a packed lunch prepared at home (approximately half of children take a packed lunch to school) and were aged 8–9 years (in year 4), for both surveys.Outcome measuresData collected in both years included provision of weight and type of food, nutrients and proportion of lunches meeting individual and combined school meal standards.ResultsFrequency of provision and portion size of some food types changed substantially between surveys. Frequency of provision of confectionery in lunches reduced by 9.9% (95% CI −20.0 to 0.2%), sweetened drinks reduced by 14.4% (95% CI −24.8 to −4.0%), and cakes and biscuits not containing chocolate increased by 9.6% (95% CI 3.0 to 16.3%). Vegetable provision in lunches remained low. Substantial changes were seen in the percentage of lunches meeting some nutrient standards: non-milk extrinsic sugars (19%, 95% CI 10 to 29%), vitamin A (−8%, 95% CI −12 to −4%), vitamin C (−35%, 95% CI −42 to −28%) and zinc (−8%, 95% CI −14 to −1%).ConclusionsPacked lunches remain low quality with few meeting standards set for school meals. Provision of sugars has reduced due to reductions in provision and portion size of sugary drinks and packaged sweet foods; however, provision of some nutrients has worsened.

scholarly journals Associations between deprivation, attitudes towards eating breakfast and breakfast eating behaviours in 9–11-year-olds

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 582-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham F Moore ◽  
Katy Tapper ◽  
Simon Murphy ◽  
Rebecca Lynch ◽  
Larry Raisanen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Level ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Breakfast Skipping ◽  
Breakfast Eating ◽  
Eating Breakfast ◽  
Causal Nature

AbstractObjectivesTo examine school-level relationships between deprivation and breakfast eating behaviours (breakfast skipping and the healthfulness of foods consumed) in 9–11-year-old schoolchildren and to examine whether attitudes towards eating breakfast mediated these relationships.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingOne hundred and eleven primary schools in Wales.SubjectsYear 5 and 6 pupils within the 111 primary schools. Measures were completed by 4314 children. Analysis was conducted at the group (school) level, with each school representing one group.ResultsDeprivation was positively associated with breakfast skipping and consumption of ‘unhealthy’ items (i.e. sweet snacks, crisps) for breakfast. A significant negative association was found between deprivation and consumption of ‘healthy’ items (i.e. fruit, bread, cereal, milk). Deprivation was significantly inversely associated with attitudes towards eating breakfast. The relationships between deprivation and (1) breakfast skipping and (2) consumption of ‘healthy’ items for breakfast were mediated by attitudes towards eating breakfast. The hypothesis that attitudes mediated the relationship between deprivation and consumption of ‘unhealthy’ breakfast items was unsupported.ConclusionsDeprivation is associated with adverse breakfast eating behaviours amongst children aged 9–11 years, in terms of breakfast skipping and the quality of breakfasts consumed. Socio-economic differences in attitudes towards eating breakfast are apparent amongst this age group, and appear to relate to social gradients in breakfast eating behaviours. Research is needed to examine the causal nature of these trends and to elucidate factors underlying the development of socio-economic differences in eating-related cognitions.

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 Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors in Kuwait: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2252
Author(s):  
Ahmad Salman ◽  
Kennedy Ouma Sigodo ◽  
Fatima Al-Ghadban ◽  
Badreya Al-Lahou ◽  
Maha Alnashmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Dietary Behaviors ◽  
Quality Of Sleep ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sugary Drinks ◽  
The Impact

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has brought about drastic measures that have significantly altered the norms of daily living. These measures have affected human behaviors in disparate ways. This study seeks to understand the impact of the pandemic on physical activity and dietary behavior among adults living in Kuwait. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 18 June and 15 July 2020, using a questionnaire disseminated through social media, including WhatsApp and Facebook. The target population was individuals aged 21 years or older living in the State of Kuwait. The study included 679 respondents; 57.9% were females, and 67.7% were Kuwaiti nationals. Both genders reported an increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, and carbohydrates, and a decreased consumption of fish and sugary drinks. Compared to males, females reported eating more during the outbreak than their pre-pandemic eating behaviors (32.3% vs. 35.9%, p < 0.05). Approximately one-third of respondents (33.1%) reported performing less than 30 min of physical activity or exercise in a week, and 36.4% of respondents rated their quality of sleep as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. The rate of smoking cigarettes among males was significantly higher than in females (40.6% vs. 5.3%, p < 0.001). Physical activity was positively correlated with vegetable consumption and quality of sleep. Quality of sleep was negatively correlated with the consumption of sweets and snacks, just as the consumption of vegetables was negatively correlated with the consumption of sugary drinks. The overall negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait necessitates the development of health promotion interventions to support positive physical activity and dietary behaviors using alternative coping strategies among the residents of Kuwait.

scholarly journals Health-related quality of life in Chinese population with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a national multicenter survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Huang ◽  
Jian-Gao Fan ◽  
Jun-Ping Shi ◽  
Yi-Min Mao ◽  
Bing-Yuan Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Independent Risk Factors ◽  
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract Background Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) is a multi-dimensional construct that can comprehensively evaluate the patient’s health status, including physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on HRQL in a Chinese population. Methods In this national multicenter cross-sectional survey, patients with NAFLD were enrolled. Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ)-NAFLD was used to qualify HRQL. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to identify independent risk factors of HRQL. Results A total of 5181 patients with NAFLD from 90 centers were enrolled in this study (mean age, 43.8 ± 13.3 years; male, 65.8%). The overall CLDQ score was 5.66 ± 0.89. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI: HR, 1.642; 95% CI, 1.330–2.026), alanine transaminase (ALT: HR, 1.006; 95% CI, 1.001–1.011), triglyceride (HR, 1.184; 95% CI, 1.074–1.305), disease severity (HR, 3.203; 95% CI, 1.418–7.232) and cardiovascular disease (HR, 4.305; 95% CI, 2.074–8.939) were independent risk factors for overall CLDQ score. In the logistic analyses of individual domain, BMI and triglyceride were independent risk factors of all domains. ALT, disease severity, diabetes, depression and cardiovascular disease were influencing factors for the CLDQ score of several domains. Conclusions This national multicenter cross-sectional survey in China indicated that the HRQL in patients with NAFLD was impaired. HRQL was found to be significantly associated with sociodemographic and clinical factors. Attention should be paid to the optimally managing care of patients with NAFLD to improve their HRQL.

scholarly journals What's in the lunchbox? Dietary behaviour of learners from disadvantaged schools in the Western Cape, South Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1752-1758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulfa Abrahams ◽  
Anniza de Villiers ◽  
Nelia P Steyn ◽  
Jean Fourie ◽  
Lucinda Dalais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Standard Of Living ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

AbstractObjectiveTo identify and describe factors associated with food shop (known as tuck shop in South Africa) and lunchbox behaviours of primary-school learners in South Africa.DesignAnalysis of data collected in 2008 from a cross-sectional survey.SettingSixteen primary schools in the Western Cape, South Africa.SubjectsA total of 717 grade 4 learners aged 10–12 years.ResultsA 24 h recall established that 69 % of learners carried a lunchbox to school and 49 % had consumed at least one item purchased from the school food shop/vendor. Most lunchboxes contained white bread with processed meat, whereas the most frequent food shop/vendor purchase comprised chips/crisps. Learners who carried a lunchbox to school had significantly lower BMI percentiles (P = 0·002) and BMI-for-age (P = 0·034), compared with their counterparts. Moreover, they were younger, had higher standard-of-living and dietary diversity scores, consumed more meals per day, had greater self-efficacy and came from predominantly urban schools, compared with those who did not carry a lunchbox to school. Learners who ate food shop/vendor purchases had a lower standard-of-living score and higher dietary diversity and meal scores. Only 2 % of learners were underweight, whereas 19 % were stunted and 21 % were overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2).ConclusionsChildren who carried a lunchbox to school appeared to have greater dietary diversity, consumed more regular meals, had a higher standard of living and greater nutritional self-efficacy compared with those who did not carry a lunchbox to school.

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