ArticlePublic health nutrition2020
A cross-sectional study to determine the energy density and nutritional quality of primary-school children's lunchboxes.
Article in Public health nutrition, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 21 papers.
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Who cites it
21 citing papers in PubMed.
- A theoretically designed scale-up intervention increases adoption of an effective school nutrition program 'SWAP IT': outcomes of a randomised trial.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2026Trial
- An mHealth Intervention to Reduce the Packing of Discretionary Foods in Children's Lunch Boxes in Early Childhood Education and Care Services: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2022Trial
- Enhancing the potential effects of text messages delivered via an m-health intervention to improve packing of healthy school lunchboxes.Public health nutrition · 2021Trial
- A Multicomponent mHealth-Based Intervention (SWAP IT) to Decrease the Consumption of Discretionary Foods Packed in School Lunchboxes: Type I Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2021Trial
- Primary School Children's Views and Habits Around School Lunches.Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals · 2026Article
- A Journey Into School Lunchbox Decision-Making: A Mixed Methods Exploration of Australian Parents.Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals · 2025Article
- Better Lunch Boxes: Testing the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Family-Based Pilot Intervention to Support Nutritious Home-Packed Lunches.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Article
- Sneak peek: food, waste and packaging characteristics of South Australian school children's lunchboxes.Public health nutrition · 2025Article
- Understanding what drives schools to adopt effective school-based nutrition programs: a cross-sectional study of barriers and facilitators.Translational behavioral medicine · 2025Article
- School food and nutrition environments in Australian primary schools: A scoping review.PloS one · 2025Article
- Are Cooked Nutritious School Lunches Associated with Improved Attendance? Findings from the 2022-2023 Tasmanian School Lunch Project.Nutrients · 2024Article
- Unpacking the cost of the lunchbox for Australian families: a secondary analysis.Health promotion international · 2024Article
- Dietary habits among primary school learners in the Tshwane West District of Gauteng, South Africa.Health SA = SA Gesondheid · 2024Article
- Parental support for free school lunches in Australian primary schools: associated factors and perceived barriers.Public health nutrition · 2023Article
- School lunchboxes as an opportunity for health and environmental considerations: a scoping review.Health promotion international · 2023Article
- Foods and beverages provided in out of school hours care services: an observational study.BMC public health · 2022Observational
- The food and nutrient intake of 5- to 12-year-old Australian children during school hours: a secondary analysis of the 2011-2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey.Public health nutrition · 2021Article
- Greater and More Focused Measures Are Needed to Tackle Diabetes and Obesity Epidemics in the Nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council.International journal of endocrinology · 2021Review
- Stakeholder Generated Ideas for Alternative School Food Provision Models in Australia Using the Nominal Group Technique.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThe present study describes the energy content of primary-school children's lunchboxes and the proportion of lunchbox foods considered discretionary. Subgroup analyses by sex, socio-economic status, age and weight status were undertaken.
designA cross-sectional study was conducted. Mean kilojoule content, number of items and categorisation of foods and drinks in lunchboxes as 'everyday' (healthy) or discretionary (sometimes) foods were assessed via a valid and reliable lunchbox observational audit.
settingTwelve Catholic primary schools (Kindergarten-Grade 6) located in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia.
participantsKindergarten to Grade 6 primary-school students.
resultsIn total, 2143 children (57 %) had parental consent to have their lunchboxes observed. School lunchboxes contained a mean of 2748 kJ, of which 61·2 % of energy was from foods consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines and 38·8 % of energy was discretionary foods. The proportion of lunchboxes containing only healthy foods was 12 %. Children in Kindergarten-Grade 2 packed more servings of 'everyday' foods (3·32 v. 2·98, P < 0·01) compared with children in Grades 3-6. Children in Grades 3-6 had a higher percentage of energy from discretionary foods (39·1 v. 33·8 %, P < 0·01) compared with children in Kindergarten-Grade 2 and children from the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas had significantly higher total kilojoules in the school lunchbox compared with the least disadvantaged students (2842 v. 2544 kJ, P = 0·03).
conclusionsFoods packed within school lunchboxes may contribute to energy imbalance. The development of school policies and population-based strategies to support parents overcome barriers to packing healthy lunchboxes are warranted.
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