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Health Education Journal
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What are New Zealand children eating at school? A content analysis of `consumed versus unconsumed' food groups in a lunch-box survey

Emma Dresler-Hawke

Department of Marketing, Massey University, New Zealand, E.K.Dresler-Hawke{at}massey.ac.nz

Dean Whitehead

School of Health and Social Services, Massey University, New Zealand

Jane Coad

Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, New Zealand

Eating patterns among school-aged children continue to be highly reliant on frequent consumption of food items that are perceived to have low or poor nutritional value. This has become a serious public health concern. In this New Zealand-based study, primary school children's food consumption behaviour was investigated via two sources: a cross-sectional survey of school foods from 927 lunch-boxes, and the content analysis of unconsumed foods deposited in provided food waste disposal bins. The results indicated that most lunch-boxes contained an over-representation of the food groups high in fat, sodium and sugar, and an under-representation of fruit and vegetables. In this study, the measured high proportions of unconsumed healthy foods (mainly fruit and vegetables), in comparison to unhealthy foods, being thrown away by school-children were of concern. The results indicate that schools and parents should pursue initiatives that support healthy diets for children as best practice.

Key Words: Health Promoting Schools • lunch-box analyses • New Zealand • schoolchildren • school nutrition

Health Education Journal, Vol. 68, No. 1, 3-13 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0017896908100444
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