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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Suzanne Spence, Professor John MatthewsORCiD, Dr Lorraine McSweeneyORCiD, Maisie Rowland, Professor Ashley AdamsonORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© The Authors 2020. Objective: To consider the principal effect of an interaction between year (pre and post-Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM)) and school on pupil's dietary intakes Design: A repeated cross-sectional survey using dietary data from 2008/09 (pre-) and 2017/18 (post-UIFSM) Setting: Two primary schools, NE England Participants: Pupils aged 4-7y (2008/9 n=121; 2017/18 n=87) Results: At lunchtime there was a statistically significant decrease in pupils non-milk extrinsic sugars intake (%E NMEs) pre to post-UIFSM (mean change -4.6%; 95%CI -6.3 to -2.9); this was reflected in total diet (-3.8%; -5.2 to -2.7%). A year and school interaction was found for mean calcium intakes: post-UIFSM pupils in School 2 had a similar mean intake as pre; in School 1 intakes had increased (difference of difference: -120mg; 95% CI -179 to -62); no reflection in total diet. Post-UIFSM mean portions of yoghurt decreased in School 2 and remained similar in School 1 (-0.25; -0.46 to -0.04); this was similar for 'cake/pudding' and fruit. Conclusions: Within the limitations, these findings highlight positives and limitations following UIFSM implementation and demonstrate the role of school-level food practices on pupil's choices. To facilitate maximum potential of UIFSM, national levers, such as discussions on updating school food standards, including sugars, could consider removing the daily 'pudding' option and advocate 'fruit only' options one day/week, as some schools do currently. Small school-level changes could maximise positive health impacts by decreasing NMEs intake. A more robust evaluation is imperative to consider dietary impacts, equitability and wider effects on schools and families.
Author(s): Spence S, Matthews JNS, McSweeney L, Rowland MK, Orango P, Adamson AJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Public Health Nutrition
Year: 2021
Volume: 24
Issue: 10
Pages: 3167-3175
Print publication date: 01/07/2021
Online publication date: 02/12/2020
Acceptance date: 16/11/2020
Date deposited: 18/03/2021
ISSN (print): 1368-9800
ISSN (electronic): 1475-2727
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980020004875
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980020004875
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