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Objective: To compare the intake of key indicator foods at age 12 months and 18 months between infants of Pakistani and White British origin., Design: Logistic regression was used to model associations between ethnicity and consumption of key indicator foods defined by high or low energy density using an FFQ at age 12 and 18 months., Setting: Born in Bradford 1000 study, Bradford, UK., Subjects: Infants (n 1259; 38 % White British, 49 % Pakistani), mean age 12·7 (sd 1·0) months and toddlers (n 1257; 37 % White British, 49 % Pakistani), mean age 18·7 (sd1·0) months., Results: At 12 months, Pakistani infants consumed more commercial sweet baby meals than White British infants, with greater odds for being above average consumers (adjusted OR (AOR)=1·90; 95 % CI 1·40, 2·56), more chips/roast potatoes (AOR=2·75; 95 % CI 2·09, 3·62), less processed meat products (AOR=0·11; 95 % CI 0·08, 0·15), more fruit (AOR=2·20; 95 % CI 1·70, 2·85) and more sugar-sweetened drinks (AOR=1·68; 95 % CI 1·29, 2·18). At 18 months these differences persisted, with Pakistani infants consuming more commercial sweet baby meals (AOR=4·57; 95 % CI 2·49, 8·39), more chips/roast potato shapes (AOR=2·26; 95 % CI 1·50, 3·43), more fruit (AOR=1·40; 95 % CI 1·08, 1·81), more sugar-sweetened drinks (AOR=2·03; 95 % CI 1·53, 2·70), more pure fruit juice (AOR=1·82; 95 % CI 1·40, 2·35), more water (AOR=3·24; 95 % CI 2·46, 4·25) and less processed meat (AOR=0·10; 95 % CI 0·06, 0·15) than White British infants., Conclusions: Dietary intake during infancy and the early toddlerhood period is associated with ethnicity, suggesting the importance of early and culturally adapted interventions aimed at establishing healthy eating behaviours.

Background: In April 2004 Hull City Council introduced free healthy school meals for primary and special schools pupils (approximately 20,500 children) in an attempt to reduce health inequalities. The meals aimed to meet the Caroline Walker Trust (CWT) nutritional guidelines for primary schools. The study assesses the nutritional content of the meals, including children's actual intake. The Hull school is compared with a neighbouring school with no such initiative., Methods: 64 children aged 9-10 years participated from 2 primary schools. Fieldwork was undertaken over 5 days in each school. 320 meals were weighted and photographed before and after consumption to assess actual intake., Results: Hull children consumed (p < 0.001) less total fat, sugar and sodium than neighbouring children. Both schools exceeded the CWT recommendations for these nutrients. Statistically significant (p < 0.001) differences were observed between nutrient intakes of energy, iron, zinc, folate and magnesium (p < 0.001) with Hull children consuming less than neighbouring children. Children's intake at both schools did not meet recommended guidelines for 11 of the 17 nutrients assessed., Conclusion: Although Hull's school meals aimed to provide children with adequate nutritional intake, findings demonstrate that, on average, children are served and consume inadequate levels of many nutrients.