MEDIA RELEASE  Media embargo – 2 June 2010

Trick or treat? The preschool lunchbox dilemma (230 words)

Too many preschool lunchboxes have an extra ‘treat’ added to an otherwise healthy lunch.

Nutrition guidelines allow one or two serves of ‘extra’ foods per day for preschool-aged children. The majority of children appear to consume most of this ‘allowed’ amount during their school day.
The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating defines ‘extra’ foods as those that are not essential to provide necessary nutrients. They typically contain too much added fat, salt and sugars. 
Bridget Kelly and colleagues from the Physical Activity Nutrition and Obesity Research Group surveyed more than 250 children attending preschools in New South Wales. Their findings are published in the June issue of Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.
The study also found that almost half of all preschool children’s lunchboxes contained extra drinks. 
“Sugary drinks such as soft drink, fruit drinks, fruit juices and cordial, contribute to overweight and obesity among children,” said Ms Kelly.
“Many Australian parents do not feel well-equipped to distinguish the healthiness of many pre-packaged snacks.
“This is made more difficult taking into account the large variety of products available and marketed to children.”
With almost one in four children aged 2 to 17 carrying excess weight, Ms Kelly believes there is a need for better communication of preschool food policies.
She also wants government to improve food labelling and restrict unhealthy food marketing to children.
ENDS

For more information about this research, contact the research author: 
Ms Bridget Kelly, Physical Activity Nutrition and Obesity Research Group, Level 2, K25 Medical Foundation Building, University of Sydney, NSW, 2006. 
Phone: (02) 9036 3181; 0422 979 960; e-mail: bridgetk@health.usyd.edu.au

MEDIA ONLY: To receive a PDF of the paper or for more information about ANZJPH, contact Peta Neilson ANZJPH Administration Ph: (03) 9329 3535 E-mail: anzjph@substitution.com.au 

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health is published by the Public Health Association of Australia. Information on the Association and the Journal can be found at http://www.phaa.net.au