Fat and sodium content of school lunch foods: Calculated values and chemical analysis

Eva Obarzanek, Debra B. Reed, Carol Bigelow, Ellen Glovsky, Rebecca S. Pobocik, Theresa A. Nicklas, Ann Clesi, Michelle Zive, Leslie A. Lytle, Edward Lakatos

International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition · 1993 · 10 citations · 24 references

Concepts

Abstract

A pilot study was conducted to assess whether calculated nutrient analyses obtained from a computerized nutrient database could adequately reflect the chemical analysis determinations of 60 school lunch foods and recipes for five nutrients: total fat, saturated fat (SFA), mono-unsaturated fat (MFA), polyunsaturated fat (PFA) and sodium. The mean(± s.d.) calculated values were similar to analysed values for total fat (10.9 ± 7.6 vs. 11.5 ± 7.4 g/100g), SFA (4.24 ± 3.25 vs. 4.53 ± 3.26g/100g), MFA (4.23 ± 3.52 vs. 4.44 ± 3.43g/100g) and PFA (1.57 ± 1.79 vs. 1.47 ± 1.89g/100g). The overall mean calculated sodium content of the school lunch items was significantly higher than the analysed content (468 ± 286 vs. 307 ± 182mg/100g). Mean individual differences between the two methods ranged from 6***.0% for total fat to 94% for PFA, and were statistically significant for PFA and sodium. Although large differences exist between values calculated from a computerised nutrient database and chemical analysis for individual food items, the mean values over all foods are similar for total fat, SFA, MFA and PFA, but not for sodium. Thus, a computerised nutrient database is suitable for estimating the average content in school lunch foods and recipes of these nutrients, excluding sodium.

References

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