Abstract
Gender difference in the lunches brought from home to school and the amount consumed by elementary and intermediate school students were examined using data collected from 12 schools in Texas. The amount and nutritional quality of food items brought and consumed was evaluated, by comparing the results to the 2012 school meal standards, and Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). Almost all lunches brought from home contained grain and meat/meat alternatives, and the amount brought and consumed exceeded the NSLP standards. The majority of students did not bring fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods, but those who brought consumed most of what they brought. Among elementary school students, only 9% of boys and 14% of girls brought vegetables and the amount brought and consumed did not meet the standards. Although carbohydrate and protein consumption were adequate for boys and girls, the intakes of micronutrients and fiber did not meet the requirements across both genders at both school levels. Overall, lunches brought from home were not well balanced and did not meet NSLP standards and DRIs. It is imperative to identify strategies to improve the nutritional quality of lunches brought from home considering gender difference in food choice and educating parents and children on what is a healthy well-balanced lunch.
Highlights
Children’s eating habits are developed early in life and continue to change across their entire childhood with parents and home environment playing an important role [1,2,3]
The objective of this study was to assess the gender differences in the food items, amount, and nutritional quality of lunches brought from home and the amount consumed by students by comparing the results to the 2012 NationalSchool Lunch Program (NSLP) standards and Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)
The current study is one of the few to examine gender differences in the food content, amount, and nutritional quality of lunches brought from home and amount consumed
Summary
Children’s eating habits are developed early in life and continue to change across their entire childhood with parents and home environment playing an important role [1,2,3]. Since most children in the U.S do not meet the daily recommendation for fruits and vegetables and some key nutrients [5,6], school environments and meal programs can play an important and unique role in positively influencing school-age children’s eating habits [7]. School Lunch Program (NSLP) and receive free, reduced price or low-cost full price meals or bring packed lunches from home [8]. Approximately 40% of school children bring lunches from home [8] These lunches are not subject to federal standards and not consistently monitored as school lunches are
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