The questions:

What are the fundamental characteristics of the nutritional intake of primary school children in the ACT? Are there relationships between our "snapshots" of dietary intake and physical activity patterns? Are there relationships between our measures of dietary intake and any of the health indicators ?

The incidence of degenerative disease is related to quality nutritional intake. Fore example, intake of fruit and vegetables has consistently been positively correlated with our health. Inadequate intake of any of the vitamins and minerals, or protein, certain fats and carbohydrate will impact directly on health. Of interest will be relationships of nutritional intake with antioxidant status as well as other more direct health-related markets in the bone, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular areas. We are all aware of the outwardly obvious impact of excessive food intake. Whilst the focus on our project overall is the investigation of physical activity and movement education on health, we need to be able to control as well as we can for the influence of nutritional intake.

Methods of assessment include interviews in the field by qualified, skilled dieticians, familiar with 24-hr recall interview technique using food models, food descriptors, and household measurements to clarify quantity of food intake. Each food reported on the 24-hr recall will be checked to confirm that the weight (amount) and food description is documented. For unique foods a dietician will research food labels, preparation techniques, ingredients and packaging in grocery stores and at the school canteen to ensure accuracy.

he 24 hr recall method facilitates only limited interpretation. In the final year of our study, as further questions emerge, we intend to administer a more comprehensive investigation of the nutritional intake of our children.