Abstract
In France, school meals must comply with 15 frequency criteria (FC) expressed as nutritional requirements (e.g., “starters containing more than 15% fat served no more than four times out of 20”) in a series of 20 consecutive meals. The objective was to assess, for the first time, the nutritional impact of complying with French school food FC. Based on 40 series of meals actually served in primary schools (“observed series”), several scenarios (1600 series per scenario) of compliance or non-compliance with FC were simulated, and nutritional quality was assessed via the mean adequacy ratio (MAR/2000 kcal). In the observed series, only 9.7 FC on average (range 4–14) were fulfilled. In the simulated series: (i) MAR was positively associated with FC compliance level, with the highest MAR obtained with complete compliance; (ii) MAR decreased when meat or fish-based dishes were replaced by dishes without meat or fish; and (iii) removing the protein dish without replacement led to the lowest MAR. This study demonstrates that French school food guidelines ensure good nutritional quality of food services. It also shows that generalizing the service of meals without meat or fish would deteriorate overall nutritional quality, highlighting the need to define the composition of vegetarian dishes and their frequency of service to children.
Highlights
IntroductionThe European Union Action Plan on childhood obesity [1] and many other official documents—listed in a recent report by the European Commission [2]—underscore the fact that schools provide a privileged framework to promote healthy behaviors, notably in regard to physical activity and food
The European Union Action Plan on childhood obesity [1] and many other official documents—listed in a recent report by the European Commission [2]—underscore the fact that schools provide a privileged framework to promote healthy behaviors, notably in regard to physical activity and food.This report [2] states that the provision of healthy balanced meals in schools can improve dietary habits, lessen the incidence of childhood overweight and obesity, increase school attendance and performance, help reduce health inequalities, and raise children’s and school’s health awareness
Input data were series of meals served in primary schools (“observed series”), the list of the 15 mandatory frequency criteria (FC), technical files, recipes and nutrient content of ingredients
Summary
The European Union Action Plan on childhood obesity [1] and many other official documents—listed in a recent report by the European Commission [2]—underscore the fact that schools provide a privileged framework to promote healthy behaviors, notably in regard to physical activity and food. This report [2] states that the provision of healthy balanced meals in schools can improve dietary habits, lessen the incidence of childhood overweight and obesity, increase school attendance and performance, help reduce health inequalities, and raise children’s and school’s health awareness. States have made considerable progress in this field with the establishment of either voluntary or mandatory school food policies [3]. Have both emphasized the need to offer children healthier food at school, notably by developing or improving nutritional guidelines for school meals.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
