SCHOOL NUTRITION SURVEY

Food we eat has an important influence on health and well-being. Many eating habits are established in childhood. 456 children aged eight to 12 years participated in this survey of food eaten at school. Of all the fooditems eaten as a snack, 48.6% were categorised as junk. 75.8% of the sandwiches brought to school for lunch were made with white bre ad. Of the remaining food items brought for lunch 63.5% were of the ju nk variety. Compared with those who brought a snack or lunch from home . those given money to buy their own were more likely to eat junk (p<0 .01). Food eaten at school reflects approximately one third of a child 's daily rood intake but health food practises for even a third of foo d intake may be of a value for health and long term eating habits. Nut ritional education with the reinforcement of high nutritional standard s in schools could improve the situation.