Children's lunch box after the implementation of a guideline to regulate the foods and beverages for sale in schools in Mexico City

Abstract

IntroductionIn January 2011 a guideline to regulate the foods and beverages (F&B) for sale in schools was implemented to encourage healthy foods consumption and to lower the sugar and fat in the F&B children consume.ObjectiveDetermine if the guideline is having an impact on the quality of the children's school lunch.Methods661 children from 1st to 3rd grade were interviewed; data on the F&B consumed the last 5 school days was recorded. Some anthropometric measurements were taken.ResultsMean weight of children was 28.7±7.8 kg. 63.8%, 17.7% and 16.8% of children were normal weight, overweight and obese respectively. 6.5% bought their food at school, 37.2% brought theirs from home and 55.1% got it from either. 69.1% did not eat chips/fries and 13% consumed them =2 times. 22.9% consumed pastries/cookies =2 times and 56.1% did not eat any. Prepared foods (i.e. quesadillas) were consumed =2 times by 77.8% of children. 49.2% eat fruits and vegetables =2 times, but 20.9% did not consume them at all. 55.2% drank fruit beverages =2 times, all children consumed them at least once. 18.4% did not drink plain water and 73.7% drank water =2 times. 3 of every 4 kids bought water at school.ConclusionMost children bring food from home. Sugar sweetened beverages are highly consumed, plain water is poorly consumed. Special attention should be paid to foods prepared in cafeterias, due to being the most consumed but less regulated.