University of Hertfordshire urges schools to work harder to provide nutritious, affordable lunches
Professor Wendy Wills, a researcher from the University of Hertfordshire, said: “It is imperative that schools provide healthier options alongside a more desirable social environment and that they include young people in these decisions.
“School meals may be more nutritious than food or drink available outside the school, but they are not always enticing or enjoyable.”
The research, which studied eating habits of over 500 teenagers living in Scotland, also revealed teenagers who bought sugary drinks into school were more likely to eat foods high in fat, sugar and salt.
The research, published in the journal Appetite, also showed that those who didn’t drink sugary drinks at lunchtime exceeded the World Health Organisation (WHO) sugar recommendation of no more that 5% of daily energy intake.
Observation, questionnaires, focus groups and interviews took place in order to gather information for the study.