Effect of Food Service Nutrition Improvements on Elementary School Cafeteria Lunch Purchase Patterns

Abstract

Elementary school children purchased healthier lunches when healthier menu items were offered and when less healthy foods were eliminated from the menu. There was no significant decline in the number of students who purchased lunches as nutritional improvements were made.

Systematic Review of School‐Based Interventions to Modify Dietary Behavior: Does Intervention Intensity Impact Effectiveness?

“…Table presents the intensity evaluation of studies aiming to modify behavior across different nutrition categories. Interventions in each category were highly effective: fruit and vegetable (N = 33; effective N = 27, ineffective N = 4, unknown effectiveness N = 2), general healthy eating (N = 53; effective N = 41, ineffective N = 10, unknown effectiveness N = 2), single food or food group (N = 12; effective N = 8, ineffective N = 3, unknown effectiveness N = 1), and single nutrient (N = 7; effective N = 5, ineffective N = 1, unknown effectiveness N = 1). Comparing the frequency of effective studies in different categories showed that the mean frequency of interventions in the single food or food group category was significantly higher than for the general healthy eating category (ANOVA p = .04, Tukey's post hoc test p = .03).…”

Classroom Nutrition Education Combined With Fruit and Vegetable Taste Testing Improves Children's Dietary Intake

“…Furthermore, taste testing can predict student interest in nutrition education Engage food service staff and parents in training activities to reinforce the home and lunchroom environment, which will help sustain behaviors learned in class Finally, Cooperative Extension developed cross‐cultural, experiential learning approaches grounded in evidence‐based nutrition curriculum can supplement school curriculum and leverage community resources …”

Family‐Style Dining on a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit: A Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Weight Changes in Patients

“…Thus, it is imperative that the food we offer to our patients is healthful and that they are educated about positive food choices. In another study, Cluss et al (2014) found that elementary school children purchased healthier lunches when offered a healthier lunch menu and the less healthy items were removed from the menu.…”

“…In another study, Cluss et al. () found that elementary school children purchased healthier lunches when offered a healthier lunch menu and the less healthy items were removed from the menu.…”

“…The prevalence of obesity in children has more than tripled from 1980 to 2008. In 6to 11-year-olds, it has rocketed from 6.5% to 19.6%; in 12to 19-year-olds, it has soared from 5% to 18.1% (Cluss, Fee, Culyba, Bhat, & Owen, 2014). As of 2014, an average of 17% of all American children is obese secondary to an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2012).…”