Examination of the Food and Nutrient Content of School Lunch Menus of Two School Districts in Mississippi

Abstract

This study examined the diet quality of the school meals in two Mississippi school districts and compared them to the national guidelines. We examined the lunch menus of the two school districts that participated in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program focusing on food quality and assessing both healthy and unhealthy foods and eating behaviors. This analysis was completed through a computerized review used to accurately determine the nutrient content. Both the standard and the alternative meals provided by the cafeterias in the two school districts exceeded the minimum requirement for calories for all grade levels. The meals from the urban schools cafeteria provide more calories than meals from the cafeteria in the rural school district. Although schools believe that they are making positive changes to children’s diets, the programs are falling short of the nutrient recommendations. Poor nutrition and improper dietary practices are now regarded as important risk factors in the emerging problems of obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and other chronic diseases, with excessive energy intake listed as a possible reason. Dieticians, school professionals and other health care practitioners need to accurately assess energy intake and adequately promote a dietary responsible lifestyle among children.

Poverty-Related Factors Associated with Obesity Prevention Policies in Utah Secondary Schools

“…A 5-day examination of the school lunch menus in two Mississippi school districts comparing them with the national guidelines revealed that regular school lunch meals from urban school cafeterias provided more energy than meals from the rural school district for kindergarten through grade 12 (mean=1,308 vs 977 calories) (20). Both school districts had a majority of students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunches, and all levels exceeded recommendations for energy, fat, protein, and sodium.…”

“…However, the extent to which school policies in socioeconomically deprived areas are comparable to policies in areas with fewer socioeconomic challenges is yet to be determined. Previous studies have identified associations between schools serving a higher proportion of children with lower socioeconomic status and increased energy provided by the school lunch (20), overall poorer school meal nutrient profiles (21), and fewer healthful food advertisements at school (ie, salads, fruits, and reduced-fat milk) (22). …”

Kost i skole og barnehage og betydningen for helse og læring

“…Begrunnelse for å ikke inkludere Addison et al 2006 Ser kun på naeringsinnholdet i skolematen; ingen vurdering av utfall for helse og laering Albertson et al 2009 Ser på konsum av frokostblandinger med ikke spesielt relevante utfallsmål Angelopoulos et al 2009Opplaering Belanger et al 2009 Tiltak rettet mot syke barn Cleary et al 2006 Tiltak rettet mot syke barn Cohen et al 2010 Ikke fokus på barn Collison et al 2010 Forhold mellom spisevaner og fedme (ikke skolemat) Dalton et al 2009…”

Adequação numérica de nutricionista, perfil de cardápios, número de alunos nos serviços de alimentação escolardo sul do Rio Grande do Sul

“…(26) Em programas de alimentação escolar de outros países, às vezes, os cardápios são planejados inferior às recomendações nutricionais para os escolares. (27) Em escolas municipais de Lavras (MG) os cardápios não atingiam nem 15% das necessidades nutricionais a partir de estudos da composição química dos alimentos nele contidos. (28) Estudo de Mello (11) com nutricionistas do Nordeste verificou que dentre as funções desempenhadas por estes profissionais na elaboração dos cardápios, o cálculo dos parâmetros nutricionais foi o mais frequentemente mencionado.…”