Fourth-grade children's observed consumption of, and preferences for, school lunch foods

This analysis determined the relationship between fourth-grade children's observed consumption of, and preferences for, school lunch foods. Data were collected during a series of studies concerning the accuracy of children's school lunch recalls. A total of 237 students (179 African American, 58 White; 120 males) from four schools were randomly selected, observed eating school lunch, and interviewed either the same day (n=89) or the next day (n=148). Amounts observed eaten were recorded as none, taste, little bit (or some), half, most, all, and >1 serving, and coded as 0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, and 2, respectively. Preferences were coded as liked "not at all"=0, "a little"=1, and "a lot"=2. A mixed model analysis of variance was used with consumption as the dependent variable, student as the random effect, and all other factors fixed; the effects of preferences, sex, ethnicity, and interview day (same, next) on consumption were tested, and whether their interactions with preferences were significantly related to consumption. Results indicated a significant relationship between consumption and preferences (p<0.001); as preferences increased, consumption also increased. Consumption (least squares means) was 0.11, 0.54, and 0.92 servings for foods liked "not at all", "a little", or "a lot", respectively. An important strength of this research is that consumption was validated through observation. Nutrition professionals need to be aware that children eat virtually all of what they like "a lot", about half of what they like "a little", and almost none of what they like "not at all" during school lunch; thus, food preferences need to be considered when implementing dietary interventions with children. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.