Nutrient intake in schoolchildren: some practical considerations

Abstract

The diet of schoolchildren has been a sensitive issue throughout this century. The observation that recruits to the army during the Boer War were below desirable growth standards opened interest in a topic which has never since left the agenda for discussions on nutrition policy in this country. In the last decade concerns have centred on the possibility that dietary habits of schoolchildren, notably their high levels of consumption of sugar and high-fat snack foods and low consumption of fruit, vegetables and fibre, contribute to the development of dental caries and to degenerative diseases later in life. More recently the possibility of inadequacy of the diet of schoolchildren has been brought to the attention of scientists and the public by the publication of a report suggesting that low vitamin and mineral intake may impair mental function (Benton & Roberts, 1988). It seems as important now as ever before to be able to assess the adequacy of schoolchildren's diets and to identify possible health risks associated with current dietary practices.