Meal and snacking patterns of students.

A 1981 survey of 3,309 students in grades 3-12 enrolled in 135 Louisiana schools was used to determine their meal and snacking patterns. The data were analyzed according to three grade divisions: elementary, 3-6; junior high, 7-8; and senior high, 9-12. An analysis of variance was computed with grade division as the independent variable. Students' responses to questions concerning the consumption of meals, snacks and vitamin supplements, and tasting new, unfamiliar or disliked food were the dependent variables. A majority of students consumed three meals daily; however, breakfast was frequently skipped. Breakfast was usually eaten at home; 15% ate the school breakfast. Most students consumed the school lunch; many reported tasting new, unfamiliar or disliked food as part of these meals. Students snacked, most doing so in the afternoon. Students in grades 9-12 consumed significantly more snacks than their counterparts. Many snacks were purchased at school, primarily from a concession stand. Almost 50% took a vitamin supplement.