University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

An investigation of the role of beverage choice in school lunch nutrient intake and waste

Gutierrez, Elizabeth C

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GUTIERREZ-THESIS-2022.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115922

Description

Title
An investigation of the role of beverage choice in school lunch nutrient intake and waste
Author(s)
Gutierrez, Elizabeth C
Issue Date
2022-07-20
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Pflugh Prescott, Melissa
Committee Member(s)
  • Pepino, M. Yanina
  • Champman-Novakofski, Karen Marie
Department of Study
Nutritional Sciences
Discipline
Nutritional Sciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • children
  • nutrition
  • beverages
  • milk
  • 100% juice
  • water
  • school
Abstract
Beverages can provide improved nutrient intake and hydration. Still, they can also pose concerns about overnutrition or contamination for children and adolescents during critical growth. The literature review examined the impact of milk, 100% juice, and water consumption on health-related outcomes in youth by scanning three databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and CABI global. Forty-five research articles met the quality criteria and were included. Health organizations and governmental resources were also reviewed to identify current intake and consumption recommendations. All beverages in this review were associated with various desirable and undesirable findings that spanned over 40 different health outcomes. Most studies that assessed milk lacked a clear distinction between milk type (flavored vs. unflavored) or fat percentage, making it difficult to understand the impact of milk consumption. The relationship between milk intake and anthropometric-related outcomes was mixed within and across studies. Water was consistently associated with better hydration, while 100% juice and flavored milk intake were associated with more desirable dietary patterns or nutrients that children are currently not consuming adequate amounts of. A secondary analysis of the Time for Lunch study was conducted to understand the associations between beverage selection and consumption of waste and nutrient intake from meal components in school-aged children (n=38). A total of 237 observations were analyzed using mixed methods linear regression using R. Studio with random effects, controlling for sex, free/reduced-price lunch participation, seated lunchtime, menus (n=5), food consumption in grams, and the nutrient reference amount. Participants were majority female (59%), white race (60%), and of non-Hispanic ethnicity (76%). Beverage selection choices included only water (47%), only chocolate milk (17%), only unflavored milk (27%), chocolate milk and water (4.3%), unflavored milk and water (3.0%), or no beverage (1.3%). Children who selected water wasted significantly less of their beverage than children who selected milk and water (β=38.03, p<0.001) or only unflavored milk (β=30.09, p<0.001). No significant differences were found between those who selected chocolate milk or water. Children who selected only chocolate milk consumed significantly less Vitamin D (β=-11.54, p=0.02), vitamin B6 (β=-9.07, p=0.047), Vitamin B12 (β=-11.54, p=0.02), and added sugars from carbohydrates (β=-12.40, p=0.03) from the meal components than those who only selected water. No other significant differences were found between beverage selection options and the other nutrients of interest. The amount of beverage consumed had no significant impact on nutrient intake from meal components. These results suggest that water was tolerated similarly to chocolate milk in this study. Future research is needed to determine strategies to make water more accessible during school meals to lessen the environmental burden of wasted food in the NSLP. The nutrient contribution of menu items that represent the standards of the NSLP also suggests the need to incorporate vitamin D within other NSLP foods.
Graduation Semester
2022-08
Type of Resource
Thesis
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/115922
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2022 Elizabeth Gutierrez

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