Intended for healthcare professionals

Papers And Originals

Nutritional Value of Midday Meals of Senior Schoolchildren

Br Med J 1972; 4 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.4.5842.697 (Published 23 December 1972) Cite this as: Br Med J 1972;4:697
  1. D. P. Richardson,
  2. M. Lawson

    Abstract

    A survey of 565 senior schoolchildren showed that 41% took the school meal. It provided 27% of the daily recommended energy intake and 35% of the daily protein intake set by the Department of Health and Social Security. Of the children who did not take the school meal 4% had a meal which compared favourably with it, though an equal number ate no lunch at all. The remainder either brought snacks from home or bought foods which were found to be both low in protein, iron, and calcium, and high in sugar. Sweets and chips provided the main source of energy for 9% of the subjects.