Food and nutrient content of afterschool snacks: Findings from snda-IV

Introduction: Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) can receive cash reimbursement for snacks served in eligible afterschool programs. Afterschool snacks must meet specific requirements for the types and amounts of foods, but there are no nutrient-based standards. The fourth School Nutrition Dietary Assessment study (SNDA-IV) is the first nationally representative study to provide detailed information on the food and nutrient content of afterschool snacks. Methods: Data were collected from a national sample of NSLP schools in school year 2009-2010. Foodservice managers in schools that offered afterschool snacks provided information on foods offered for one week. Reported food items were linked to the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies and MyPyramid Equivalents Database, and average amounts of calories, nutrients, and USDA Food Pattern food groups were estimated. Results: Students were offered few choices among foods provided in afterschool snacks, and milk, crackers/pretzels, and 100% juice were among the most frequently offered items. Afterschool snacks, on average, provided 264 calories, 23% of calories from total fat, and 8% of calories from saturated fat. In relation to USDA Food Pattern recommendations for school-age children, afterschool snacks provided considerable amounts of fruit, grains, and dairy, but were high in calories from solid fats and added sugars. Discussion: Findings from SNDA-IV provide important information on the food and nutrient content of NSLP afterschool snacks. It will be important to monitor their nutritional quality over time to ensure that snacks can make positive contributions to children's diets during the school day.