School-provided lunches could be a solution to better childhood nutrition

Packed lunchboxes with fruit, sandwiches, and snacks is a common practice for most Australian families. But what if there was another way?

Researchers at Flinders University, who are studying the pros and cons of school-based lunches, say that equal delivery of lunchtime school meals could be a solution to nutrition and nutrition. better childhood learning in Australia.

Flinders Caring Futures Institute deputy director Professor Rebecca Golley says whole-school lunch models offered in school – a common practice in other countries such as the UK – would include all children in school receive the same nutritious diet, with less room for sweet, salty. or fat treats in the mix.

“A universal lunch model provided by the school could help ensure that all children have access to school meals, reduce the stigma of children who do not receive lunch or getting different types of food for their peers, and making sure children get healthy lunch options, ”says Dr. Golley, after publishing the results of an Australian study.

“The food would be prepared on site and given to children in their classroom, school hall or school garden, compared to the standard Australian school meal model where parents like usually provide lunch for their child / children, either as a packed lunch or purchased from a school canteen, “says Professor Professor Golley, a nutrition and diet researcher.

“While investment must first be in place to put in place the necessary infrastructure and put in place the right policies and guidance, what emerges from some work around Australia is that the deliver this public health strategy for learning, student engagement and wellbeing.

“With children getting healthy meals in school we think it will help children stay focused in the classroom and support their learning.”

The Flinders University research team has completed a unique project outlining how much food 5-12 year olds eat during school hours.

They found that 40% of the energy children eat at school comes from unhealthy foods, with most children eating vegetables, high protein foods, or milk during school hours. . Commonly eaten foods included biscuits, processed meats, packaged snacks, bread and fruit.

A recent separate study in NSW found that more than two-thirds of school canteens ’purchases are high in saturated fat, total sugar and salt.

“Good nutrition during children’s school years supports their growth, learning and development, with primary school aged children consuming almost half of their daily energy during school hours,” says Brittany Johnson, Flinders Research.

“Australian families are always up to the challenge of packing lunchboxes that are nutritious, safe and fast, and that their children eat”.

School lunchbox tips and tricks:

• Keep lunchboxes and basic snacks – go back to the less packaged foods – a greasy sandwich, vegie sticks, fruit and yogurt, researchers say.
• Reduce unhealthy foods by cutting portion sizes in half or limiting the number of days in a week your children eat these foods.
• Go to the supermarket with clear plans and stick to them. Avoid the small food island. If unhealthy foods are not brought into the home this can make it easier to eat healthier choices from all five food groups.

The 2020 study gathered feedback from education, health and social services, non-government, the food industry, and parents, it considered a number of approaches, such as a ‘community restaurant’ where food could be prepared and served to various community groups, or off-site catering with specialist food preparation staff with food delivered mainly to the school grounds.

Participants also considered the feasibility of a student / self-catering preparation module involving students choosing and preparing their own lunch before school or in the classroom at a food creation station or retail store.

The preferred option was the school-provided lunch model, where food facilities and infrastructure could be used to prepare meals on site, and fees for parents with income-based subsidies. -in their family. Teachers could also eat the food, and students could choose to be involved in the cooking.

“By capturing the social value, we look at the wider benefits than just nutrition and health so that we can see the wider potential impacts,” says Dr. Golley.