School meals 'help picky teens eat more healthily'

Having school dinners could help picky teenagers have a more varied and balanced diet, a new study suggests.

The University of Bristol-led research analysed data from 5,300 children at pre-school age and then again at 13 to build a picture of how picky eating behaviours change over time.

The findings, published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, suggest picky eaters at 13 were more likely than other children to avoid meat, fish and fruit in packed lunches but not in school dinners.

"Our results suggest that some picky eating behaviours persist while others may be modified in adolescents when they are away from direct familial influence," the study said.

"It is likely that family norms have a stronger influence over packed lunch content than over school dinner choices where the child has more autonomy and may be influenced by their peers."

Experts say that while most picky eaters are still getting enough to eat, having a balanced diet is important to living a healthy life and choices made at home or in education can have a big impact.

"Every child is different, and what works for some won't work for others," said Dr Caroline Taylor, lead researcher and associate professor in nutrition at the University of Bristol.

"We found that school dinners could be a good option to increase variety in the diets of picky teens, but there are plenty of other things parents can do to encourage a healthy diet.

"Whether that is enjoying family meals together, modelling a balanced diet yourself, or involving them in meal preparation, it all helps.

"It's important to encourage all children to eat enough nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to help them grow and develop, whether that's at home or at school."

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