Picky Eating Is Associated with Lower Nutrient Intakes from Children’s Home-Packed School Lunches

Abstract

The objective was to assess the relationship between children’s picky eating (PE) status and nutrient intake from home-packed school lunches. The lunches of 321 students, aged 7–10 years, were quantified via cross-sectional direct observation. Children were classified as having PE (n = 155) or not (non-PE; n = 166) based on food neophobia scores and parental perceptions of PE. The PE group consumed significantly less protein, folate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, D, and E than the non-PE group; however, both groups consumed amounts exceeding Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for protein, carbohydrates, sugar, sodium, iron, and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, and C. Conversely, both groups consumed amounts significantly lower than DRIs for calcium, fibre, folate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, D, E, and K. The PE group ate significantly less meat and alternatives, vegetables and fruit, and fruit than the non-PE group, and did not meet any of Canada’s Food Guide (2007) recommendations. The non-PE group met recommendations for meat and alternatives only. PE impacts the dietary intake of children’s home-packed lunches; however, many packed lunches were of low nutritional quality. Focus should be placed on provision of nutritionally complete school lunches for all children.

A narrative review on food neophobia throughout the lifespan: relationships with dietary behaviours and interventions to reduce it

“…Kutbi et al (26) found a lower intake of various minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, and selenium, among neophobic children aged 6-12 years. Gan et al (15) reported similar results among children aged 7-10 years. Overall, it may be argued that protein intake, vitamin intake, and mineral intake are all sensitive to food neophobia.…”

Children’s School-Day Nutrient Intake in Ontario: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study Comparing Students’ Packed Lunches from Two School Schedules

“…The four items included were: "If my child doesn't know what is in a food, he or she won't try it", "My child is afraid to eat things he or she has never had before", "My child is very particular about foods he or she will eat", and "My child will eat almost anything" (reverse scored). This 4-item version showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.91) [36].…”

“…Parental surveys obtained information regarding food neophobia and picky eating. Food neophobia and picky eating have been associated with poor dietary behaviours such as limited fruit and vegetable intake and have the potential to influence packed lunch contents and intake [33][34][35][36][37]. The modified Child Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS) used by Cooke et al [35] was condensed to promote a high response rate and remain relevant to the school setting [36].…”

“…Food neophobia and picky eating have been associated with poor dietary behaviours such as limited fruit and vegetable intake and have the potential to influence packed lunch contents and intake [33][34][35][36][37]. The modified Child Food Neophobia Scale (CFNS) used by Cooke et al [35] was condensed to promote a high response rate and remain relevant to the school setting [36]. Four of the 6 items on the CFNS were used, with each question using a 5-point scale ranging from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree'; higher scores were associated with higher food neophobia/picky eating.…”

Clinical Evolution of Preschool Picky Eater Children Receiving Oral Nutritional Supplementation during Six Months: A Prospective Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Regarding food intake, studies show that picky eater children may have deficient micronutrient intake [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. In our study, we found a high prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake in both groups, such as vitamins D, C, iron, and folate, in the baseline data.…”