- Title
- A cross-sectional study to determine the energy density and nutritional quality of primary-school children's lunchboxes
- Creator
- Sutherland, Rachel; Nathan, Nicole; Herrmann, Vanessa; Wolfenden, Luke; Brown, Alison; Yoong, Serene; Reynolds, Renee; Walton, Alison; Janssen, Lisa; Desmet, Clare; Lecathelinais, Christophe; Gillham, Karen
- Relation
- NHMRC.APP1150661 http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1150661
- Relation
- Public Health Nutrition Vol. 23, Issue 6, p. 1108-1116
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1368980019003379
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2020
- Description
- Objective: The present study describes the energy content of primary-school children’s lunchboxes and the proportion of lunchbox foods considered discretionary. Subgroup analyses by sex, socio-economic status, age and weight status were undertaken. Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Mean kilojoule content, number of items and categorisation of foods and drinks in lunchboxes as ‘everyday’ (healthy) or discretionary (sometimes) foods were assessed via a valid and reliable lunchbox observational audit. Setting: Twelve Catholic primary schools (Kindergarten–Grade 6) located in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. Participants: Kindergarten to Grade 6 primary-school students. Results: In total, 2143 children (57 %) had parental consent to have their lunchboxes observed. School lunchboxes contained a mean of 2748 kJ, of which 61·2 % of energy was from foods consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and 38·8 % of energy was discretionary foods. The proportion of lunchboxes containing only healthy foods was 12 %. Children in Kindergarten–Grade 2 packed more servings of ‘everyday’ foods (3·32 v. 2·98, P < 0·01) compared with children in Grades 3–6. Children in Grades 3–6 had a higher percentage of energy from discretionary foods (39·1 v. 33·8 %, P < 0·01) compared with children in Kindergarten–Grade 2 and children from the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas had significantly higher total kilojoules in the school lunchbox compared with the least disadvantaged students (2842 v. 2544 kJ, P = 0·03). Conclusions: Foods packed within school lunchboxes may contribute to energy imbalance. The development of school policies and population-based strategies to support parents overcome barriers to packing healthy lunchboxes are warranted.
- Subject
- children; nutrition; school; lunchbox; childhood obesity; energy density; school lunchboxes
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1424723
- Identifier
- uon:38134
- Identifier
- ISSN:1368-9800
- Language
- eng
- Reviewed
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Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
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