6.1 Main Findings
This study aimed to determine the effects of FTN on dietary intake at school, and classroom success in year five and six students at Manurewa South School. The first objective was to explore the dietary intake of students and the effects of FTN on dietary intake.
In the control week neither boys nor girls met dietary fibre AI requirements during the school day. However, during the FTN week dietary fibre was significantly higher, where girls achieved AI recommendations and boys fell shy by ~0.9g/day. This is likely due to the legumes and starchy vegetables served in FTN meals.
During the control week saturated fat dietary intake exceeded recommended ranges (<10% energy) in both boys and girls. During the FTN week, saturated fat intake was significantly higher and also exceeded recommendations. This increase is thought to result from FTN, where the two meat based dishes contained a high saturated fat content (>20%).
During the FTN week students consumed significantly more protein than in the control week. This is possibly a consequence of food fortification of FTN meals where, for example, the Pumpkin and Bacon soup had added skim milk powder to increase the protein content of the meal served.
Overall, during the FTN and control week mean intake of carbohydrate, protein and saturated fat exceeded estimated school day-requirements (40% of NRVs). It is thought that this excessive consumption relates to the obesogenic environment commonly associated with low income areas in New Zealand, where students had a rich intake of discretionary foods. Furthermore, the presence of year-long food assistance programmes is also thought to affect the proportion of daily food intake that students consume on school grounds.
The second objective was to explore ethnic differences in dietary intake with and without the presence of FTN. It was demonstrated that NZEO students consumed significantly more protein (% energy) than both Māori and Pacifika students. During FTN week these differences in protein (% energy) intake were reduced, and no differences in intake were observed. Although these results seem to positively reflect on FTN’s ability to reduce ethnic differences in dietary intake, they cannot be substantiated due to an unrepresentative sample size of each ethnic group.
86 The third objective was to explore key food sources and the effects of FTN on where students get their food from. Key food source included: the dairy, school (other food assistance programmes), FTN and the home. FTN provided additive food and nutrition to the normal diets of students, rather than displacing foods from common sources such as the dairy.
The fourth objective was to investigate associations between FTN and markers of classroom success (attendance and behaviour). No significant differences were seen in attendance rates between the control and FTN week. It was demonstrated that on average students attended 90% of school half days without FTN and 87% when FTN was present. Such high rates of attendance may be a consequence of the year-long provision of a variety of food assistance programmes to this low decile school, hence providing nutritional support to all children and possibly reducing absenteeism levels.
Behavioural incidences during the school day were also shown to be unaffected by the presence of FTN. This is unsurprising as a child’s behaviour in the classroom is influenced by many factors other than diet quality.
Finally, the fifth objective was to explore attitudes and perception of food assistance programmes established at Manurewa South School, including FTN. Gratitude and appreciation for programmes present at Manurewa South School was expressed in both staff and student focus groups conducted. Food assistance programmes were perceived to improve physical health through more adequate nutrition and to improve mental wellbeing by providing a sense of food security. They were also thought to increase exposure to different fruits and vegetables that may not be readily available in low income households. Both staff and students commented on the concern they have for the sustainability and tenure of food assistance programmes currently established. In particular students disliked the intermittent nature of FTN.
6.2 Recommendations for FTN and other food assistance programmes in
New Zealand
The current study demonstrates equivocal findings regarding the benefits of in-school food assistance programmes such as FTN. Children from low decile schools often do not achieve daily nutrient recommendations, consuming excessive saturated fat and energy, and minimal dietary fibre. Therefore, further research is needed in order to truly understand any benefits
87 of in-school food assistance programmes on the dietary intake of children living in low income New Zealand.
Nutritional analysis of FTN meals demonstrate a need for official regulatory systems and auditing to ensure the nutritional adequacy of meals served. Furthermore, official nutrition guidelines for meals served in schools should be established, as has been undertaken in other countries like the US and the UK. With an increase in the number of charity driven food assistance programmes, it has become increasingly important to ensure that guidelines are established to ensure quality meal provision to all children.
It is well known that public health initiatives are often more successful when they include the population of interest in the planning and development stages (Potvin & Jones, 2011). Such principles should be considered when developing menus for FTN and other food assistance programmes, as the current study has demonstrated low participation rates in FTN. This is speculated to be due to the predominant westernised design of the current menu. Efforts should be made to involve students, whanau and communities in the planning, development and implementation of FTN meal service in order to increase acceptance.
6.3 Recommendations for Further Research
The current study has demonstrated multiple gaps in the understanding of food assistance programmes in New Zealand. Further research is needed such as:
Longitudinal studies investigating the effects of food assistance programmes on health markers, illness and attendance rates.
Studies comparing schools with FTN established to low decile schools with no food assistance, to understand the effects of such programmes on a true ‘baseline’ of dietary intake, where no external support is provided.
Larger studies exploring the relationship between school decile ratings, and the proportion of daily food intake consumed on school grounds.
More in depth studies looking at how food assistance programmes can affect food security and dietary behaviours in the home. Insight from the parents involved in such programmes would be invaluable.
Long term investigations of the impact of intermittent food assistance programmes on the nutrition and mental health of children involved.
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