Nutrient and food group intake from school meals and bag lunches consumed by school‐aged children

Abstract

School meals can be an important source of energy and specific nutrients as well as fruits and vegetables. Studies comparing intake from lunch provided at school and lunches carried from home are limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution that school meals made to nutrient, fruit and vegetable intake and meal energy density of children. Lunchroom meal observation procedures were used to collect food intake data from 129 children (ages 8–12 yr) in a suburban Midwestern school. Dietary analyses were completed using Nutrition Data System for Research software and t‐test and general linear models analysis were used to compare nutrient, and fruit and vegetable intake. Children eating school lunch (n=85) had a higher intake of protein, vitamins A, D, and K, and calcium, and a lower intake of energy, fat, carbohydrate, vitamin E and added sugars compared to those who brought a bag lunch from home (n=44). The ratios of mean protein and calcium consumption per minimum values required by USDA regulations for school lunch tended to be higher for children eating school lunch than those eating bag lunches. Children eating bag lunches had a lower fruit and vegetable intake and higher energy density than children eating school lunch. Overall, children who ate school lunch had a more favorable macro and micronutrient and fruit and vegetable intake compared to those who brought a bag lunch from home.