Get started
Work

Foods Offered and Plate Waste Among School-Aged Children: A Descriptive Study

Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To (1) describe foods offered to children and their plate waste, (2) assess how foods offered compare to the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA-2020), and (3) compare foods offered with foods consumed. METHODS: We conducted a 3-day assessment with the remote food photography method (RFPM) among 38 child-caregiver dyads. Variables measured were energy, nutrients, and Healthy Eating Index-2020 scores for foods offered, consumed, and remaining as plate waste. Linear mixed models examined differences between foods offered, recommended intakes, and foods consumed. RESULTS: Foods offered exceeded the DGA-2020 (difference) for sodium (1,034.5 mg), saturated fat (2%), and added sugars (11%), and did not meet the minimum DGA-2020 threshold for fiber (-5.18 g) and calcium (-228.7 mg). Foods offered had a Healthy Eating Index-2020 score 1.3 units higher than the score of foods consumed. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Interventions that target improvements in the quality of foods offered to children are needed.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2026.06.216
Authors: Roberta Gomez Diaz Barreiro, Kylie K. Harrall, Susan L. Johnson, Corby K. Martin, Dana Dabelea, Chloe Friedman, Katherine A. Sauder, Deborah H. Glueck, Daniel S. Hsia, Traci A. Bekelman
Institutions: Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Wake Forest University
Language: English
Field: Nursing
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,840
OpenAlex ID: W7196953388
FWCI:
Cites: 48
Cited by:
Related to: 10