School Nutrition Services (SNS) Research

Publication: JAND

Date Published: October 2020

Reference: 

Processed and Packed: How Refined Are the Foods That Children Bring to School for Snack and Lunch?
Blondin, Stacy A. et al.
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 121, Issue 5, 883 - 894

Key Takeaways: This study investigates the extent of food processing in items children bring back from school meals. Research aimed to characterize these foods by the level of processing and evaluate them with a school-based intervention, the Great Taste Less Waste Intervention (GTLW), by reducing the portion of energy (calories) from highly processed foods. About 70% of the food brought from home was derived from highly processed items, while 72 % was from desserts and snacks. GTLW, which included classroom lessons, parent newsletters, and food demonstrations, did not significantly reduce the portion of highly processed foods in students' lunches and snacks. These results mean there needs to be more effective strategies and interventions to encourage healthier, less processed choices in school settings.

#Interventions