Family meals can help children reach their 5 A Day: a cross-sectional survey of children's dietary intake from London primary schools. Issue 4 (19th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Christian, Meaghan S; Evans, Charlotte E L; Hancock, Neil; Nykjaer, Camilla; Cade, Janet E
• Is Part Of: Journal of epidemiology and community health. Volume 67:Issue 4(2013)
• Page Start: 332
• Page End: 338
• Publication Date: 2012-12-19
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Child Health -- Health Behaviour; Public health -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1136/jech-2012-201604
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-005X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: This study aims to explore how the home food environment and parental attitudes and values affect children's fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake. Methods: The sample consists of 2383 children with a mean age of 8.3 years (95% CI 8.2 to 8.3) attending 52 primary schools in London. These children are taking part in two randomised controlled trials to evaluate a school gardening programme. Diet was assessed using a validated 24-h food tick list, the Child And Diet Evaluation Tool (CADET). Results: The CADET tool found that children consumed on average 293 g F&V (95% CI 287 to 303) per day. Clustered (by school) multilevel regression models with total F&V as the primary outcome were conducted to explore how the home environment affects children's F&V intake. Children of families who reported 'always' eating a family meal together at a table had 125 g (95% CI 92 to 157; p=<0.001) more F&V than families who never ate a meal together. Daily consumption of F&V by parents was associated with higher F&V (88 g, 95% CI 37 to 138) intake in children compared with rarely/never consumption of F&V by parents. Cutting up fruit and vegetables for children was associated with higher consumption. Families who reported always cutting up F&V for their children had 44 g (95% CI 18 to 71) more F&V than families who never cut up F&V. Conclusions: This study identified that cutting up F&V and family consumption of F&V facilitates children's intake. Eating a family meal together regularly could increase children's F&V intake and help them achieve the recommended intake. Trial registration: ISRCTN11396528.