An investigation of sugar intake in secondary school children

Abstract

This study essentially dealt with the sugar intake of secondary school children at breakfast and on school premises. Its purpose was to investigate the amount of sugar consumed in the form of sugary foods and drink such as chocolates, biscuits, sweets, fruit juices soft drinks and the like. It also investigated pupils likes and dislikes of food available at school tuck shops, pupils' knowledge about sugar in convenience foods, pupils knowledge of sugar and disease. For this study a random sample of 200 pupils from Four State Secondary Schools was selected. Results show that pupils sugar intake is excessively high, the majority of pupils like the choice of food available at the tuck shop. On comparing sexes, girls have a better knowledge about sugar in convenience food and about sugar and diseases.