Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
06:48
Breakfast Habits among Schoolchildren in the City of Uruguaiana, Brazil
Published on: July 29, 2020
Nutrient-based standards for school lunches complement food-based standards and improve pupils' nutrient intake
Dalia Haroun1, Lesley Wood, Clare Harper
1School Food Trust, London, UK.
The British Journal of Nutrition
|July 9, 2011
Summary
New school lunch standards in England improved nutrition. Schools meeting both food-based and nutrient-based standards offered healthier lunches lower in fat, saturated fat, and sodium for pupils.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Nutrition
- Dietary Standards
- Childhood Obesity
Background:
- Rising concerns over school lunch nutrition and childhood obesity in the UK prompted policy changes.
- Primary schools in England mandated compliance with new food-based standards (FBS) and nutrient-based standards (NBS) from September 2008.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of introducing nutrient-based standards (NBS) on the nutritional quality of school lunches.
- Assessed food and drink items provided by schools and chosen by pupils.
Main Methods:
- Nationally representative survey of 6696 pupils (aged 3-12) across 136 primary schools in England.
- Collected data on school lunch provision, pupil food choices, and caterer information (menus, recipes).
- Assessed compliance with both FBS and NBS.
Main Results:
- Many schools failed to meet NBS even when FBS was achieved.
- School lunches in schools meeting both FBS and NBS were significantly lower in fat, saturated fat, and sodium compared to those meeting only FBS.
- Policy changes positively influenced pupils' food choices and the nutritional profile of selected items.
Conclusions:
- Implementation of both FBS and NBS for school lunches led to measurable improvements in nutritional content.
- The study highlights the importance of comprehensive standards for enhancing the healthiness of school meals.
Related Concept Videos
02:35Key Elements for Plant Nutrition
Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the atmosphere, the...
01:27Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition
Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...
01:19Absorption of Nutrients
Absorption refers to taking dietary nutrients from the intestinal lumen for transportation throughout the body. After digestion in the small intestine, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are broken down into simpler forms. These essential macronutrients and other vital substances, such as vitamins, minerals, and water, are then prepared for absorption into the bloodstream.
Enterocytes, which are specialized polar epithelial cells, line the mucosa of the small intestinal walls. These cells...
Enterocytes, which are specialized polar epithelial cells, line the mucosa of the small intestinal walls. These cells...
01:29Sources of Food Contamination
Contamination of food by microbial agents and natural toxins poses significant risks to public health. These hazards can be introduced at various points across the food supply chain, ranging from environmental sources to processing and storage stages. Understanding these contamination pathways is critical for developing strategies to ensure food safety.Seafood is particularly vulnerable to contamination through both environmental exposure and microbial colonization. Toxins from harmful algal...
01:28Microbial Nutrition
Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...