Children food intake during the school recess in Mexico (624.25)

Abstract

Objective: To assess the food and drinks intake as well as their calorie value throughout school recess in a 9 to 11 years old children simple.Methods: Transversal study, using a random sample of 370 children from 109 Mexican schools. Food consumption during recess was registered, collecting for each food the name, type, amount and source (home or purchased at the school). Metric units (g or ml) were estimated for the total consumed portions, energy, macro and micronutrients were calculated. Results: Children who consumed home prepared foods during recess, shown an average energy intake of 242 kcal whereas for those who purchase them food at school was 343.3 kcal. In the case of the children who consume home food and also purchase food the average kcal increases to 421.5. Regarding protein, sugars, total, trans and saturated fats and sodium the intake was lower among the children that consumed only home prepared food compared with those who purchase and/or eat food from home. Conclusions: Energy intake during recess in children that purchase food at school is greater than the 276 kcal recommendation for the lunch. In spite of the government regulations about food sale in Mexican schools.