IMPROVING SCHOOL BREAKFASTS - EFFECTS OF THE CATCH EAT SMART PROGRAM ON THE NUTRIENT CONTENT OF SCHOOL BREAKFASTS

Background. This paper describes the impact of the Eat Smart School Nu trition Program, the food service component of the Child and Adolescen t Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH), on the percentage of calori es from total fat and saturated fat and the sodium content of school b reakfasts. Methods. Fifty-nine of the 96 CATCH schools offered breakfa st. We collected 5 consecutive days of school breakfast menu, recipe, and vendor product information at three periods to assess the nutrient content of the school menus as offered. Results. At baseline (Fall 19 91), intervention school breakfasts provided 28% of calories from tota l fat and control schools 30%. Decreases occurred over time in both gr oups, but no significant differences were attributable to the interven tion (adjusted mean difference = -0.4; P = 0.77). Saturated fat exceed ed the Eat Smart goal at baseline in all schools and by follow-up (Spr ing 1994), the reduction in mean percentage of calories from saturated fat was greater in intervention than in control schools (adjusted mea n difference = -1.6%; P = 0.052). Sodium goals were not achieved. Mean calorie levels were maintained at or above Eat Smart goals throughout the study in both groups. Differences over time in other dietary vari ables (percentage of calories from protein and carbohydrate and mean l evels of protein, carbohydrate, calcium, iron, vitamin A value, vitami n C, total sugars, and dietary fiber) were not statistically significa nt between groups. No significant reductions in student participation in the School Breakfast Program (SEP) occurred. Conclusions. The Eat S mart food service intervention improved school breakfast composition, but not significantly more so than in control schools. Fat and saturat ed fat in school breakfasts were lowered while maintaining calories, o ther essential nutrient levels, and student participation in the SEP. Secular trends and also the possibility that control schools were affe cted by the Eat Smart intervention may account for these findings. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.