National lunch program needed, says UPEI food and nutrition professor
Results from national study similar to previous study done in P.E.I.
A UPEI food and nutrition professor says she wasn't surprised to see the results of a University of British Columbia study that gives children a failing grade for not eating healthy at school.
"We've done some research in P.E.I. on Grade 5 and 6 children and have found similar things, although this study was different in that they used the Canadian community health survey data which is a huge nationwide survey," said Jennifer Taylor.
The study looked at what children ate between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to capture what they were eating during school hours compared to what they ate outside those hours.
"So if you think about it in that time period between nine and two children could have, they might have breakfast although unlikely at nine, most programs are finished by that point," said Taylor referring to school breakfast programs.
Concern continues
Taylor said there are challenges to making improvements because there is not a national school lunch program.
"What we've done is piecemeal programs," said Taylor.
- MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Flower at risk: UPEI biologists attempting to repopulate threatened plant
- MORE P.E.I. NEWS | Dads welcome too: Sobeys updates parental parking signs
With files from CBC News: Compass