Changes in the nutritional content of children's lunches after the Food Dudes healthy eating programme.

Mariel Marcano-Olivier,Lorna McWilliams,Mihela Erjavec,Jake Sallaway-Costello,Simon Viktor,Pauline J. Horne

doi:10.1017/jns.2021.31

Abstract

Previous research into the effectiveness of healthy eating programmes has shown increases in healthful eating behaviour in primary schools; however, data collection methods have not been sufficiently sensitive to detect micronutrient changes. The present study extends the literature by measuring individual children's intake of macro- and micronutrients at lunchtime, before and after a programme targeting children's consumption of fruit and vegetables, to identify evidence-based health benefits of programme participation. Baseline data were collected over 4 d at lunchtime in two primary schools. The Food Dudes programme was then implemented in the intervention school. Follow-up data were collected over 4 d in each school 2 months after baseline. We employed a validated and sensitive photographic method to estimate individual children's (N 112) consumption of fruit, vegetables, and their intake of calories, macro- and selected micronutrients. Significant changes were observed in the intervention school but not in the control school: Children's consumption of fruit, vegetables, vitamin C and E intake increased, while their total energy consumption, fat, saturated fat, and sodium intake decreased. The present results show that the Food Dudes programme produced a positive nutritional change, with implications for its application as a healthy eating and obesity prevention intervention. These optimistic conclusions should be tested by further research to establish the longevity of the positive effects presented here.

Highlights

Children in most developed countries, including the UK, over consume foods high in fats, sugar and salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables, which increases their risk of ill health[1]
We investigated whether the consumption patterns differed between children who ate school lunches and those who brought their food from home
Vegetable, calories, sodium and vitamin C consumption – the key effects identified in the main analyses

Summary

Introduction

Children in most developed countries, including the UK, over consume foods high in fats, sugar and salt and do not eat enough fruit and vegetables, which increases their risk of ill health[1]. The UK Department of Health[5] pledged to support efforts to reduce childhood obesity, with the target of a sustained downward trend in the incidence of childhood obesity by 2020. This target has not been met[6], and there are at present renewed calls by the Government to tackle the nation’s poor eating habits in light of the role that obesity plays in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality[7]. Global trends show that concerted action is required to combat poor nutrition and childhood obesity, and the British Medical Association (BMA)(1) agrees that promoting healthier diets in children is a public health priority

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Discussion

Conclusion