Key Food Groups for Preventing Obestity and Improving Nutrition in Schools

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2004 Feb; 58(2):258-63.

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 non-canteen 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 non-canteen 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.

Coach D Notes: It is important to realize that this same over-representation of energy-dense foods occurs right here in the United States. Most of our children also have fast food and vending machines that are readily available to them throughout the school day. In addition, regular consumption of even small portions of high energy-dense foods can lead to excessive weight gain. Most children (and adults) do not realize how quickly the calories add up and this is because 1) people don’t keep track of what they eat and 2) people don’t know how many calories are in the foods they eat. Our society, including schools, communities, and work places are saturated with high energy-dense food choices. In order to control weight or loose weight a definite part of the energy balance equation is proper food choice and portion size.

For more information on choosing the proper foods and controlling your food portions, contact me.