Fourth-grade children's observed consumption of, and preferences for, school lunch foods

This analysis determined the relationship between fourth-grade children's observed consumption of, and preferences for, school lunch foods. Data were collected during a series of studies concerning the accuracy of children's school lunch recalls. A total of 237 students (179 African American, 58 White; 120 males) from four schools were randomly selected, observed eating school lunch, and interviewed either the same day (n=89) or the next day (n=148). Amounts observed eaten were recorded as none, taste, little bit (or some), half, most, all, and >1 serving, and coded as 0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 2, respectively. Preferences were coded as liked " not at all "=0, " a little "=1, and " a lot "=2. A mixed model analysis of variance was used with consumption as the dependent variable, student as the random effect, and all other factors fixed; the effects of preferences, sex, ethnicity, and interview day (same, next) on consumption were tested, and whether their interactions with preferences were significantly related to consumption. Results indicated a significant relationship between consumption and preferences (p a lot ", about half of what they like " a little ", and almost none of what they like " not at all " during school lunch; thus, food preferences need to be considered when implementing dietary interventions with children.