This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Primary schools show the way on healthy eating
06/06/2006
More primary pupils are now tucking into healthy school meals and setting the standard for secondaries to follow, according to latest statistics.
School dinners are being transformed as part of the Executive's Hungry for Success initiative - which has drastically cut salt, fat and sugar content in meals.
Primaries have been serving up the healthy fare since the end of 2004 while secondary schools are now in the process of delivering changed menus.
Education Minister Peter Peacock has again highlighted the Executive's commitment to turn round the eating habits of the nation. He said the work to tackle the problem of childhood obesity and ensure children developed lifelong healthy eating habits would need commitment and drive over many years.
The statistics - School Meals in Scotland 2006 - show:
- 47.3 per cent of primary pupils took a school lunch on census day - up from 46.6 per cent in 2005
- 43.4 per cent of secondary pupils took a school lunch - down from 45.9 per cent
- 68.5 per cent of pupils entitled to a free school meal ate one on census day - up from 67.4 per cent
- 22 councils saw an increase in school meal uptake in primaries. For instance, uptake in Dundee increased by 10.2 per cent; Perth and Kinross saw an increase of 6.1 per cent while both Argyll and Bute and Moray increased uptake by 4.7 per cent
Mr Peacock said:
"We have always known that bringing about such huge change in the eating habits of the nation would not happen overnight, but would require sustained effort. Our primary schools - the first to make the changes - are seeing the benefit of that sustained effort, with take-up rising overall and in some councils by a significant amount.
"Although one third of councils have increased uptake in secondary as well, it's vital that all secondary schools learn lessons from their primary colleagues. Councils which phased in menu changes and involved pupils had consistently higher participation rates. Where change happened too quickly or was not as well planned, we saw uptake fall but that trend is now being reversed as pupils learn how tasty healthy food can be.
"Hungry for Success was never intended to be a quick fix but it's vital that we act now to improve the eating habits of future generations and fight obesity. We're committed to helping Scotland shake off the sick man of Europe tag and that's why we're in this for the long haul."
The statistics show that, while improving, 30 per cent of those eligible to take free school meals do not do so. The Executive plans to legislate to place a duty on councils to promote take-up of free school meals.
The statistics also show that, while improving significantly, the majority of schools do not yet anonymise those in receipt of free school meals. The Executive plans to legislate to require all councils to anonymise take up of free school meals.
Hungry for Success introduced nutritional standards for school meals. Primary schools had to meet these from December 2004. Secondary schools have until December 2006. Nutritional guidance for pre-school and child care providers was published in January 2006.
The Executive has provided £135 million funding to local authorities to implement Hungry for Success. An interim report from HMIE found that Hungry for Success was improving the quality of school meals across the country.
Schools in Scotland are already working towards becoming health promoting schools. This involves a whole school approach to promoting the physical, social, spiritual, mental and emotional well-being of all pupils and staff.
The Executive's policies to improve health have received endorsements from the World Health Organisation and the European Commission as the example for other countries to follow.