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Picky Eating Is Associated with Lower Nutrient Intakes from Children's Home-Packed School Lunches
Kellseigh Gan1, Carly Tithecott1, Lisa Neilson1
1School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College at Western University, 1285 Western Road, London, ON N6G 1H2, Canada.
Insights
Picky eating in children significantly reduces nutrient intake from school lunches, impacting essential vitamins and minerals. Many packed lunches lack nutritional quality, highlighting a need for improved school lunch provisions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Dietary Assessment
- Public Health
Background:
- Picky eating (PE) is common in children and may affect nutritional intake.
- Home-packed school lunches are a significant source of nutrients for school-aged children.
- Understanding the nutritional quality of packed lunches is crucial for child health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between picky eating status and nutrient intake in children's home-packed school lunches.
- To compare the nutritional content of lunches provided to picky eaters versus non-picky eaters.
- To assess adherence to dietary guidelines in packed school lunches.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 321 children aged 7-10 years.
- Quantification of home-packed school lunches through direct observation.
- Classification of children into picky eaters (PE) and non-picky eaters (non-PE) based on validated measures.
Main Results:
- Picky eaters (PE) consumed significantly less protein, folate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and several B vitamins and vitamin E compared to non-PE children.
- Both groups had inadequate intake of calcium, fiber, folate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, D, E, and K relative to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs).
- PE children consumed less meat, vegetables, and fruit, failing to meet Canada's Food Guide recommendations, while non-PE children only met meat/alternatives recommendations.
Conclusions:
- Picky eating status significantly influences the nutritional quality of children's home-packed school lunches.
- A substantial proportion of packed school lunches, regardless of PE status, exhibit low nutritional quality.
- Interventions promoting nutritionally complete school lunches are essential for all children.
Abstract:
The objective was to assess the relationship between children's picky eating (PE) status and nutrient intake from home-packed school lunches. The lunches of 321 students, aged 7-10 years, were quantified via cross-sectional direct observation. Children were classified as having PE (n = 155) or not (non-PE; n = 166) based on food neophobia scores and parental perceptions of PE. The PE group consumed significantly less protein, folate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, D, and E than the non-PE group; however, both groups consumed amounts exceeding Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for protein, carbohydrates, sugar, sodium, iron, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, and C. Conversely, both groups consumed amounts significantly lower than DRIs for calcium, fibre, folate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, D, E, and K. The PE group ate significantly less meat and alternatives, vegetables and fruit, and fruit than the non-PE group, and did not meet any of Canada's Food Guide (2007) recommendations. The non-PE group met recommendations for meat and alternatives only. PE impacts the dietary intake of children's home-packed lunches; however, many packed lunches were of low nutritional quality. Focus should be placed on provision of nutritionally complete school lunches for all children.
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