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A cross-sectional study to determine the energy density and nutritional quality of primary-school children’s lunchboxes
- Source :
- Public Health Nutr
- Publication Year :
- 2020
- Publisher :
- Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2020.
-
Abstract
- Objective:The present study describes the energy content of primary-school children’s lunchboxes and the proportion of lunchbox foods considered discretionary. Subgroup analyses by sex, socio-economic status, age and weight status were undertaken.Design:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Mean kilojoule content, number of items and categorisation of foods and drinks in lunchboxes as ‘everyday’ (healthy) or discretionary (sometimes) foods were assessed via a valid and reliable lunchbox observational audit.Setting:Twelve Catholic primary schools (Kindergarten–Grade 6) located in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia.Participants:Kindergarten to Grade 6 primary-school students.Results:In total, 2143 children (57 %) had parental consent to have their lunchboxes observed. School lunchboxes contained a mean of 2748 kJ, of which 61·2 % of energy was from foods consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and 38·8 % of energy was discretionary foods. The proportion of lunchboxes containing only healthy foods was 12 %. Children in Kindergarten–Grade 2 packed more servings of ‘everyday’ foods (3·32 v. 2·98, P < 0·01) compared with children in Grades 3–6. Children in Grades 3–6 had a higher percentage of energy from discretionary foods (39·1 v. 33·8 %, P < 0·01) compared with children in Kindergarten–Grade 2 and children from the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas had significantly higher total kilojoules in the school lunchbox compared with the least disadvantaged students (2842 v. 2544 kJ, P = 0·03).Conclusions:Foods packed within school lunchboxes may contribute to energy imbalance. The development of school policies and population-based strategies to support parents overcome barriers to packing healthy lunchboxes are warranted.
- Subjects :
- Male
Parents
Cross-sectional study
Population
Medicine (miscellaneous)
Nutritional quality
Diet Surveys
Childhood obesity
Nutrition Policy
Environmental health
Humans
Medicine
Child
Students
education
education.field_of_study
Schools
Nutrition and Dietetics
business.industry
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
medicine.disease
Disadvantaged
Cross-Sectional Studies
Lunch
Energy density
Female
Observational study
Diet, Healthy
New South Wales
Parental consent
Energy Intake
business
Nutritive Value
Research Paper
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14752727 and 13689800
- Volume :
- 23
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Public Health Nutrition
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....dc5a1cb18614a4084cf491d7a466afee