New Zealand children's dietary intakes during school hours

Aim: To describe the dietary habits of New Zealand schoolchildren during school hours. Method: The present study was a secondary analysis of New Zealand's national nutrition survey of schoolchildren (2002 National Children's Nutrition Survey). It includes a subset of 2247 children aged 5-14 years, surveyed to recall a school day. A 24-hour dietary recall was collected in the home of the child. Food or beverage consumption during the morning (9:00 a.m.-11:59 a.m.) and at lunch time (12:00 noon-2:00 p.m.) was based on whether energy intake during these times was above zero. Foods consumed and nutrient intakes during these two time periods were ascertained. Results: Approximately 80% of children consumed some food or beverage during the morning and over 90% during lunch time. Older children were less likely than younger children to consume foods or beverages during lunch time. Snack foods, fruit and biscuits were the food groups most consumed during the morning, while sandwiches and fruit were the most popular foods during lunch time. Children obtained approximately one-third of their daily nutrient intakes during school hours. Food and nutrient intakes differed by ethnicity both during the morning and at lunch time. Conclusions: Children's food consumption at school could be improved-particularly morning snack quality. Encouraging healthier selections sourced from home is vital as well as ensuring that healthy options are available for purchase, and Pacific children need the most encouragement to choose wisely.