Food consumption patterns in elementary school children.

PURPOSE: Food consumption was investigated in children attending three elementary schools in urban Hamilton, Ontario. METHODS: Dietary data were collected from 92 children in grades 2 to 4 through 24-hour dietary recalls (39% participation rate). Servings of four food groups were compared with recommended daily servings in Canada’s Food Guide. RESULTS: The majority of students did not consume the recommended five daily servings of vegetables and fruit. On average, they consumed a high number of servings of « other foods, » which were not included in the four food groups. More than 50% of the students did not consume the recommended daily servings of milk products, and only a small proportion (21%) drank milk during school lunch. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that primary school educators promote the consumption of vegetables and fruits and milk products at school, either through healthy snack programs or educational programs.