Children's lunchtime food choices following the introduction of food-based standards for school meals: observations from six primary schools in Sheffield.
OBJECTIVE
To 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.


METHODS
Cross-sectional 2 d weighed food records collected in January and February 2007.


METHODS
Six primary schools in Sheffield, England.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-three pupils aged 8-10 years.


RESULTS
Vegetables (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).


CONCLUSIONS
Schools 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.
Golley
Rebecca
R
School Food Trust, Geraldine Hall Suite, Moorfoot, Sheffield S1 4PQ, UK.
Pearce
Jo
J
Nelson
Michael
M
D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D015930:Diet Records; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins