Nutritional, environmental and economic implications of children plate waste at school: a comparison between two Italian case studies.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aims at comparing two Italian case studies in relation to schoolchildren's plate waste and its implications, in terms of nutritional loss, economic cost and carbon footprint.

Design

Plate waste was collected through an aggregate selective weighting method for 39 d.

Setting

Children from the first to the fifth grade from four primary schools, two in each case study (Parma and Lucca), were involved.

Results

With respect to the served food, in Parma, the plate waste percentage was lower than in Lucca (P < 0·001). Fruit and side dishes were highly wasted, mostly in Lucca (>50 %). The energy loss of the lunch meals accounted for 26 % (Parma) and 36 % (Lucca). Among nutrients, dietary fibre, folate and vitamin C, Ca and K were lost at most

SUBMITTER: Biasini B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11374544 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature