https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/massey/oai:mro.massey.ac.nz:10179/11499
type: CreativeWork
name: Impact of a school meal programme on the dietary intake of children, aged 9-11 years, in a low decile school in South Auckland, New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
description: Background: The prevalence of the multiple burdens of malnutrition, characterised by the coexistence of obesity and undernutrition, is increasing worldwide, including in New Zealand (NZ). These lead to inadequate growth and development towards adulthood due to associated non-communicable diseases and micronutrient deficiencies. The current food environment contributes towards reduced access to nutritionally adequate meals. Therefore, nutrition programmes, policies and guidelines have been developed by government bodies such as the Ministry of Health and charitable trusts. Feed the Need (FTN), is a school meal programme that provides lunch meals to children in decile one and two schools in South Auckland, NZ. Aim: The aim of my thesis is to explore the effect of a school meal programme on children’s (9-11 years) dietary intake during school hours in a low decile school in South Auckland, NZ. School staff and children’s perceptions of the school meal programmes will also be evaluated. Methods: Eighty-two children completed self-administered food records under supervision for two weeks. FTN meals were offered to all children on alternate days (FTN week) during week one, with FTN meals being absent in week two (non-FTN week). Dependent t-tests, Kruskal Wallis and post-hoc tests were used to analyse energy, macronutrient and micronutrient intake during school hours. Dietary intake for boys and girls during school hours was compared to 40% of the NZ Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) and the United Kingdom (UK) dietary guidelines. This was to identify whether the children’s dietary intake met current recommendations. In addition, dietary intake for all children was compared between food sources including dairy, home, school food programmes, FTN and other food sources. Two focus groups were conducted with school staff and children to identify their perceptions of the school meal programme. Results: Dietary intake was higher in energy, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, sugars, pro…
abstract: Background: The prevalence of the multiple burdens of malnutrition, characterised by the coexistence of obesity and undernutrition, is increasing worldwide, including in New Zealand (NZ). These lead to inadequate growth and development towards adulthood due to associated non-communicable diseases and micronutrient deficiencies. The current food environment contributes towards reduced access to nutritionally adequate meals. Therefore, nutrition programmes, policies and guidelines have been developed by government bodies such as the Ministry of Health and charitable trusts. Feed the Need (FTN), is a school meal programme that provides lunch meals to children in decile one and two schools in South Auckland, NZ. Aim: The aim of my thesis is to explore the effect of a school meal programme on children’s (9-11 years) dietary intake during school hours in a low decile school in South Auckland, NZ. School staff and children’s perceptions of the school meal programmes will also be evaluated. Methods: Eighty-two children completed self-administered food records under supervision for two weeks. FTN meals were offered to all children on alternate days (FTN week) during week one, with FTN meals being absent in week two (non-FTN week). Dependent t-tests, Kruskal Wallis and post-hoc tests were used to analyse energy, macronutrient and micronutrient intake during school hours. Dietary intake for boys and girls during school hours was compared to 40% of the NZ Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) and the United Kingdom (UK) dietary guidelines. This was to identify whether the children’s dietary intake met current recommendations. In addition, dietary intake for all children was compared between food sources including dairy, home, school food programmes, FTN and other food sources. Two focus groups were conducted with school staff and children to identify their perceptions of the school meal programme. Results: Dietary intake was higher in energy, carbohydrate, dietary fibre, sugars, pro…
author: Walia, Nitasha
keywords: School children, Food, Food relief, South Auckland, New Zealand
date published: 2016
date modified: 2026-07-27T20:17:07Z
provider: Massey University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Massey University