Evaluation of the effect of the removal of the family income supplement (FIS) free school meal on the food intake of secondary schoolchildren.
Four secondary schools in Southampton were chosen to study the effect of the changes in Social Security regulations in April 1988 on the food intake of schoolchildren. A self-completed questionnaire asking about food intake throughout the previous school day was given to each child by the form teacher on two occasions; one in March 1988 and again after the benefit changes in May 1988. All children who were entitled to a Family Income Supplement (FIS) free school meal in March were included in the study. This group (n = 50) was compared with an age- and sex-matched group of children entitled to a Supplementary Benefit (SB) free school meal (n = 49) and a control group (n = 100) of children. Before the benefit changes there were a few differences between the groups, mainly in the control group, who had different foods at lunchtime. After the benefit changes only 10 per cent of the FIS group had a school lunch compared with 66 per cent before. The major changes were at the lunchtime meal, with fewer in the FIS group eating burgers, pies, chips and ice-cream, and more eating crisps, sandwiches and fruit than had done so before the benefit changes.
Cade
J
J
Community Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital.
Lambert
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004739:England; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D012923:Social Class; D012943:Social Security / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires