The contribution of school meals to food consumption and nutrient intakes of young people aged 4-18 years in England.

摘要

Secondary analyses was carried out of the 1997 National Diet and Nutrition Survey of Young People aged 4-18 yr in order to describe the contribution of school meals to daily food and nutrient intakes. Findings from 1997 were compared with data collected in English primary and secondary schools in 2004-2005. Cross-sectional analysis was carried out of 7-day weighted inventory food consumption data according to age, sex, household income, free school meals and breakfast consumption. Comparison of food consumption took place with the Balance of Good Health and of nutrient intake data with the Caroline Walker Trust (CWT) guidelines. 1456 UK schoolchildren aged 4-18 yr, 7058 English primary-school pupils and 5695 English secondary-school pupils were studied. Pupils' school meal choices in 1997 did not accord with the Balance of Good Health. Food choices in school were less healthy than choices outside school. School meals failed to make good the shortfalls in daily intakes of non-starch polysaccharides and Zn in primary-school pupils, and of Ca, Fe, Zn, vitamin A and non-starch polysaccharides in secondary-school pupils, nor excess daily intakes of saturated fatty acids, non-milk extrinsic sugars and sodium at all ages. Results indicated that school meals typically failed to meet CWT guidelines. They were more likely to meet CWT guidelines when choice of foods was restricted. It is suggested that school meals need substantial improvement to meet CWT guidelines for healthy eating. The introduction of food-based guidelines for school meals in England in 2001 did not improve the food choices in school meals.