A C Bell1, B A Swinburn. 1. Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia. cbell@deakin.edu.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in the contribution of foods and beverages to energy consumed in and out of school, and to compare consumption patterns between school canteen users and noncanteen users. DESIGN: Cross-sectional National Nutrition Survey, 1995. SETTING: Australia. SUBJECTS ON SCHOOL DAYS: A total of 1656 children aged 5-15 y who had weekday 24-h dietary recall data. RESULTS: An average of 37% of total energy intake was consumed at school. Energy-dense foods and beverages such as fat spreads, packaged snacks, biscuits and fruit/cordial drinks made a greater contribution to energy intake at school compared to out of school (P< or =0.01). Fast foods and soft drinks contributed 11 and 3% of total energy intake; however, these food groups were mostly consumed out of school. Fruit intake was low and consumption was greater in school. In all, 14% of children purchased food from the canteen and they obtained more energy from fast food, packaged snacks, desserts, milk and confectionary (P< or =0.05) than noncanteen users. CONCLUSIONS: : Energy-dense foods and beverages are over-represented in the Australian school environment. To help prevent obesity and improve nutrition in schools, biscuits, snack bars and fruit/cordial drinks brought from home and fast food, packaged snacks, and confectionary sold at canteens should be replaced with fruit and water.
OBJECTIVE: To determine differences in the contribution of foods and beverages to energy consumed in and out of school, and to compare consumption patterns between school canteen users and noncanteen users. DESIGN: Cross-sectional National Nutrition Survey, 1995. SETTING: Australia. SUBJECTS ON SCHOOL DAYS: A total of 1656 children aged 5-15 y who had weekday 24-h dietary recall data. RESULTS: An average of 37% of total energy intake was consumed at school. Energy-dense foods and beverages such as fat spreads, packaged snacks, biscuits and fruit/cordial drinks made a greater contribution to energy intake at school compared to out of school (P< or =0.01). Fast foods and soft drinks contributed 11 and 3% of total energy intake; however, these food groups were mostly consumed out of school. Fruit intake was low and consumption was greater in school. In all, 14% of children purchased food from the canteen and they obtained more energy from fast food, packaged snacks, desserts, milk and confectionary (P< or =0.05) than noncanteen users. CONCLUSIONS: : Energy-dense foods and beverages are over-represented in the Australian school environment. To help prevent obesity and improve nutrition in schools, biscuits, snack bars and fruit/cordial drinks brought from home and fast food, packaged snacks, and confectionary sold at canteens should be replaced with fruit and water.
Authors: Tommy L S Visscher; Wendy C W van Hal; Lobke Blokdijk; Jaap C Seidell; Carry M Renders; Wanda J E Bemelmans Journal: Obes Facts Date: 2010-04-16 Impact factor: 3.942
Authors: A Simmons; H M Mavoa; A C Bell; M De Courten; D Schaaf; J Schultz; B A Swinburn Journal: Health Promot Int Date: 2009-09-16 Impact factor: 2.483
Authors: Cheryl-Ann Bennett; Andrea M de Silva-Sanigorski; Melanie Nichols; Andrew C Bell; Boyd A Swinburn Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2009-10-26 Impact factor: 6.457
Authors: Louise L Hardy; Lesley King; Bridget Kelly; Louise Farrell; Sarah Howlett Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2010-11-03 Impact factor: 6.457