Dietary patterns of third-year secondary schoolgirls in Glasgow

The dietary pattern of 270 third-year secondary schoolgirls in Glasgow was investigated by means of a 24-hour recall. Subjects were asked to indicate any food which they had bought themselves and to answer questions relating to fat, sugar and fibre. Most ate at normal mealtimes including breakfast but additional snacking was prevalent especially in the evening. There was a distinct lack of fruit and vegetables in the diet. The subjects could exercise reasonable influence over their own intake by virtue of their purchasing power. The roles of fat, sugar and fibre in the diet were variably understood and sources of fibre not well recognised.