The First Swiss National Nutrition Survey in Children and Adolescents, menuCH-Kids: Study Design, Participants, and Data Quality
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objectives: menuCH-Kids was launched to generate the first Swiss nationwide children's dietary data, assess food contaminant exposure, and inform nutrition policies. This paper describes the methods, data quality, and participants characteristics. Methods: In 2023-2024, a cross-sectional population-based survey in six Swiss centres collected dietary data via two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls/records and a Food Propensity Questionnaire; lifestyle, health, eating behaviours and sociodemographic information via online questionnaires; anthropometrics, urine, and voluntary blood samples by trained professionals with standardized procedures in 6-17-year-olds. Area-based socioeconomic position (Swiss-SEP) was linked to home addresses. Statistical weights corrected for unequal selection probabilities and non-response. Factors associated with participation were explored using logistic regressions. Results: 1,852 participants attended the visit (participation rate = 11.9%). Data quality was high (<6% missing values, 15.1% dietary under-reporters, and 98% of biosamples processed on time). Non-participants were older, male, non-Swiss, from lower socioeconomic neighbourhoods, and smaller household. Adding socioeconomic position improved participation prediction models. Conclusion: menuCH-Kids provides high-quality dietary and health data on Swiss youth. Low participation highlights the need for a weighting strategy including socioeconomic position to compensate biases.
Authors: Julia Vincentini, Julien Riou, Tanja Häusermann, Joëlle Schwitzguebel, Sandrine Estoppey Younes, Loan Catalano, Christine Brombach, Aziz Chaouch, Angeline Chatelan, Julia Dratva, Franziska Isler, Pascal Müller, Serge Rezzi, Franziska Righini-Grunder, Sabine Rohrmann, Christoph Saner, Giacomo D. Simonetti, Katja Uhlmann, Federica Vanoni, Christine Anne Zuberbuehler, Aline Siegfried-Troxler, Suzanne Suggs, Klazine van der Horst, Murielle Bochud
Institutions: Centre universitaire de médecine générale et santé publique, Lausanne, University of Lausanne, Bern University of Applied Sciences, ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, HES-SO Genève, Ostschweizer Kinderspital, University of Zurich, University of Bern, University Hospital of Bern, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Istituto Pediatrico della Svizzera Italiana, Università della Svizzera italiana, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office
Language: English
Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,775
OpenAlex ID: W7129655313