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Matela H, Yadav SS, Menon K. Robust implementation of school food policy is needed to improve nutritional outcomes of children in European and Western Pacific countries: A systematic review. Nutrition 2024; 122:112373. [PMID: 38428219 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2024.112373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present systematic review explored compliance status with school food policies in Europe and the Western Pacific regions, challenges and facilitators of policy compliance, and its impact on children's diets and nutrient intakes. RESEARCH METHODS An electronic search for full-text research articles published between January 2009 and July 2023 was conducted in Science Direct and PubMed scientific databases. RESULTS A total of 659 titles and abstracts were screened, and final data was extracted from 34 included studies. Results showed low compliance with the school food policy in Europe and the Western Pacific regions. The European schools chad better compliance than the Western Pacific, and supportive interventions improved policy adherence. Impact assessment studies reported that the implementation of the school food policy increased fruit and vegetable consumption, thus increasing nutrient intakes (vitamin A, vitamin D, iron, calcium, folate, and dietary fibers). However, its impact on the availability and consumption of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) was less conclusive. The effects of the policy on the school food environment indicated no significant improvement. CONCLUSION Results highlighted the need for additional support and surveillance at the school level to ensure adequate policy compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hema Matela
- Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS), Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), Lavale, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Surabhi Singh Yadav
- Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS), Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), Lavale, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kavitha Menon
- Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS), Symbiosis International (Deemed University) (SIU), Lavale, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
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de Seymour J, Stollenwerk Cavallaro A, Wharemate-Keung L, Ching S, Jackson J. Nutrient-Level Evaluation of Meals Provided on the Government-Funded School Lunch Program in New Zealand. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14235087. [PMID: 36501117 PMCID: PMC9741039 DOI: 10.3390/nu14235087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 1 in 6 children in New Zealand are living in households facing poverty and 14% of the population is food insecure. The Ka Ora, Ka Ako|Healthy School Lunches program aims to reduce food insecurity by providing access to a nutritious lunch every school day. This study analyzed the nutritional content of Ka Ora, Ka Ako meals and compared them to national and international standards. Meals were selected at random from approved menus. The suppliers covered by the 302 meals analyzed provide 161,699 students with a lunch (74.9% of students on the program). The meals were analyzed using Foodworks 10 nutrient analysis software. The nutrient content was compared against the New Zealand/Australia Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) and to nutrient-level standards for international school lunch programs. A total of 77.5% of nutrients analyzed exceeded 30% of the recommended daily intakes. Protein, vitamin A and folate met the NRV targets and a majority of the international standards (55/57). Energy, calcium, and iron were low compared to NRVs and international standards (meeting 2/76 standards). Carbohydrates were low compared to international standards. The findings have been used to inform the development of revised nutrition standards for the program, which will be released in 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie de Seymour
- Special Projects Team, Ministry of Education, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
- College of Health, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
- Correspondence: (J.d.S.); (J.J.)
| | | | | | - Sheryl Ching
- Special Projects Team, Ministry of Education, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
| | - Jasmin Jackson
- Special Projects Team, Ministry of Education, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
- Correspondence: (J.d.S.); (J.J.)
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Poličnik R, Rostohar K, Škrjanc B, Seljak BK, Blaznik U, Farkaš J. Energy and Nutritional Composition of School Lunches in Slovenia: The Results of a Chemical Analysis in the Framework of the National School Meals Survey. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13124287. [PMID: 34959835 PMCID: PMC8703510 DOI: 10.3390/nu13124287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Slovenia similar to some European countries has a long tradition of the organized system of school meals. The present survey aimed to compare school lunch composition in Slovene primary schools (n = 40) with the national dietary guidelines; Methods: The survey took place from January to September 2020. Sampling of a 5-day school lunch (n = 200) for adolescents aged 10 to 13 years, were performed in schools. Chemical analysis was provided by an accredited national laboratory. RESULTS The median energy value of school lunches was 2059 kJ (24% of the recommended daily energy intake). The school lunches contained 24.8 g of proteins, 52.9 g of carbohydrates and 16.7 g of dietary fats. Saturated fatty acids represent 4.7 g, polyunsaturated fatty acids 4.7 g, monounsaturated fatty acids 5.8 g, and industrial trans fats 0.2 g/100 g of a meal (1.2 g/meal). Dietary fibre represented 7.8 g, free sugars for 14.7 g and salt for 3.9 g; Conclusions: The survey showed lower values for energy, carbohydrates and total fats in school lunches as recommended, and exceeded values of salt, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rok Poličnik
- National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, SI 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (K.R.); (U.B.); (J.F.)
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
| | - Katja Rostohar
- National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, SI 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (K.R.); (U.B.); (J.F.)
| | - Barbara Škrjanc
- National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food, Grablovičeva 44, SI 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Barbara Koroušić Seljak
- Computer System Department, Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, SI 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Urška Blaznik
- National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, SI 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (K.R.); (U.B.); (J.F.)
| | - Jerneja Farkaš
- National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, SI 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (K.R.); (U.B.); (J.F.)
- General Hospital Murska Sobota, Ulica dr. Vrbnjaka 6, Rakičan, SI 9000 Murska Sobota, Slovenia
- Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Nogueira T, Ferreira RJ, Dias da Silva V, Liñan Pinto M, Damas C, Sousa J. Analytical Assessment and Nutritional Adequacy of School Lunches in Sintra's Public Primary Schools. Nutrients 2021; 13:1946. [PMID: 34198879 PMCID: PMC8228420 DOI: 10.3390/nu13061946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
School meals present several cost benefits overtime at the short, medium, and long term for individuals and society. This cross-sectional study aims to analyse the nutritional composition and evaluate the adequacy of school lunches. One hundred and fifty-eight samples were collected and analysed from 10 primary schools in Sintra's municipality, served during one week. On average, energy (27.7% daily energetic requirements) and carbohydrate (48.1%) contents did not reach the reference values, and the content of protein (19.5%) exceeded the reference value (p < 0.05). The mean total fat (28.8%) and saturated fatty acids (5.4%) content complied with the recommendations. The mean salt (1.7 g) and dietary fibre (8.3 g) content exceeded the reference value but did not differ significantly from the recommendations. Addressing school canteens is crucial, not only in a nutritional approach, but also as an opportunity to achieve healthier, sustainable, and accessible food systems, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. We highlighted the importance of evaluating evidence-based practices and disseminated practice-based evidence regarding the adequacy of school lunches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telma Nogueira
- Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (V.D.d.S.); (M.L.P.); (J.S.)
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Raquel J. Ferreira
- Câmara Municipal de Sintra, 2714-501 Sintra, Portugal;
- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - Vitória Dias da Silva
- Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (V.D.d.S.); (M.L.P.); (J.S.)
| | - Mariana Liñan Pinto
- Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (V.D.d.S.); (M.L.P.); (J.S.)
| | - Carlos Damas
- Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Direção de Qualidade e Ambiente, Indústria e Comércio Alimentar, S.A, 1000-203 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Sousa
- Laboratório de Nutrição, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal; (V.D.d.S.); (M.L.P.); (J.S.)
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
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Cohen JFW, Hecht AA, McLoughlin GM, Turner L, Schwartz MB. Universal School Meals and Associations with Student Participation, Attendance, Academic Performance, Diet Quality, Food Security, and Body Mass Index: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2021; 13:911. [PMID: 33799780 PMCID: PMC8000006 DOI: 10.3390/nu13030911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The school environment plays an important role in children's diets and overall health, and policies for universal free school meals have the potential to contribute to positive child health outcomes. This systematic review evaluates studies examining the association between universal free school meals and students' school meal participation rates, diets, attendance, academic performance, and Body Mass Index (BMI), as well as school finances. The search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A search for studies published in economically developed countries published through December 2020 was performed in PubMed, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Thomson Reuters' Web of Science, and Academic Search Ultimate, followed by examining the references in the resultant literature. A total of 47 studies were identified and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was applied to assess bias. Nearly all studies examining universal free school meals found positive associations with school meal participation. Most studies examining universal free school meals that included free lunch found positive associations with diet quality, food security, and academic performance; however, the findings of studies examining only universal free breakfast were mixed. Research findings were similarly mixed when examining attendance as an outcome. Concerns about adverse outcomes on student BMI were not supported by the literature; in fact, several studies detected a potentially protective effect of universal free school meals on BMI. Research examining the impact of universal free meals on school finances was limited, but suggest that lower-income school districts in the U.S. may have positive financial outcomes from participation in universal free school meal provisions. Additionally, providing free meals to students may be associated with improved household incomes, particularly among lower-income families with children. Further research is needed to examine the financial implications of universal free meals for both school districts and families. Overall, universal free school meals may have multiple benefits for students and countries should consider universal free school meal provisions with strong nutrition guidelines. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42020221782).
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana F. W. Cohen
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike Street, North Andover, MA 01845, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amelie A. Hecht
- Institute for Research on Poverty, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1180 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA;
| | - Gabriella M. McLoughlin
- Implementation Science Center for Cancer Control and Prevention Research Center, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA;
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Lindsey Turner
- College of Education, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725-1742, USA;
| | - Marlene B. Schwartz
- Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 1 Constitution Plaza, Suite 600, Hartford, CT 06103, USA;
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Bhurosy T, Thiagarajah K. Are Eating Habits Associated with Adequate Sleep among High School Students? THE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH 2020; 90:81-87. [PMID: 31828803 DOI: 10.1111/josh.12852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep deprivation adversely impacts cognitive performance. A nutritious diet is one strategy that can prevent sleep deprivation and its adverse effects. However, few data exist regarding the influence of diet on sleep duration among adolescents. Hence, it is important to assess whether dietary habits are linked to adequate sleep among adolescents. METHODS The 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data were used in the analysis. Nationally representative samples of adolescents were obtained using a 3-stage cluster design. Selected survey items included number of hours slept on a school night, fruit and vegetable intake, soda and milk intake, breakfast consumption, and demographic variables. Data were analyzed with SAS 9.4 using a logistic regression model. RESULTS Holding other variables constant, an increase in total daily consumption of vegetables, milk, and breakfast increased the odds of sleeping ≥8 hours among participants (p < .01). An increase in daily soda intake decreased the odds of sleeping ≥8 hours among participants (p < .01). Separate logistic models for males and females yielded similar findings (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS Promoting healthy eating habits such as intake of vegetables, milk, and breakfast consumption among adolescents may increase their likelihood of getting adequate sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trishnee Bhurosy
- Postdoctoral Fellow, , Division of Population Science, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey,195 Little Albany St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
| | - Krisha Thiagarajah
- Senior Lecturer, , School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405
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Lassen AD, Christensen LM, Spooner MP, Trolle E. Characteristics of Canteens at Elementary Schools, Upper Secondary Schools and Workplaces that Comply with Food Service Guidelines and Have a Greater Focus on Food Waste. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16071115. [PMID: 30925763 PMCID: PMC6479865 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16071115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Policy actions to improve the nutritional environment include the provision of official food service guidelines. This study aimed to examine compliance with food service guidelines for hot meals as well as self-evaluated focus on food waste reduction across settings, i.e., elementary schools, upper secondary schools and workplaces, and different canteen characteristics. The same five criteria for hot meals were applied for all settings with regard to serving of fruit and vegetables, fish, wholegrain product and high fat meat and dairy products. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted as a cross-sectional study among 680 Danish canteens. Canteens having a high degree of organic food procurement were more likely to comply with the five criteria for hot meals combined (OR 2.00 (Cl 1.13,3.53)). Also, the use of organic food together with having a meal policy was associated with reported focus on food waste reduction (OR 1.91 (CI 1.12,3.25) and 1.84 (Cl 1.31,2.59), respectively). Compliance with individual criteria varied across settings with elementary schools being more likely to comply with criteria on, e.g., maximum serving of non-wholegrain products, whereas workplaces were more likely to comply with criteria on, e.g., minimum fruit and vegetable content and serving of fish. In addition, specific characteristics, e.g., serving system, were found to predict compliance with some of the criteria. These findings highlight the need to address differences in canteen characteristics when planning implementation support for both guideline and food waste reduction initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne D Lassen
- Division of Risk Assessment and Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Lene M Christensen
- Division of Risk Assessment and Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Max P Spooner
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Ellen Trolle
- Division of Risk Assessment and Nutrition, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark.
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