A study of the dietary habits, heights and weights of primary schoolchildren

Over a two‐year period, 259 children, aged 8‐11 years, completed a four‐day weighed intake study. Heights and weights were also measured for each child and for an additional 154 children. Overall, the children had intakes of energy, total carbohydrate, fibre and iron below those recommended by the Department of Health, but sugar intakes were excessive. Intakes of other nutrients were generally adequate but children from poorer areas had significantly lower intakes of energy and most nutrients, including calcium, than did their peers. It was the provision of less food at home, rather than at school, which caused the differences in their diet. They were also significantly shorter and lighter than their peers. These anthropometric and dietary differences were larger than expected and persisted over time in a sample of“follow‐up” children. Suggests that the reintroduction of school milk, at least for poorer children, could be recommended on nutritional grounds.