Indeed, the negative effects reported for children and young people's dietary intake, for example increased skipping of meals and a reduction of fruit and vegetable consumption, combined with a loss of education in school closures, raise concerns that children living in highly deprived communities will be the most disadvantaged in returning to school (Defeyter & Mann, 2020). Children and young people with overweight/obesity reported a significant increase in using food to manage their emotions, with many showing an awareness and concern for the heightened risk of COVID‐19 due to obesity‐related conditions (PHE, 2020). Public Health England (PHE, 2020) described the negative health impact of COVID‐19 on dietary and activity habits. The absence of routine seemed to impact snacking habits and adverse mental health effects, more so in those from lower income households (Biteback, 2020). Impact of COVID‐19 on young people's eating behaviourĭuring and post‐COVID‐19 lockdown, young people reported varied experiences of eating behaviours. Therefore, schools require more support in following national food standards and incorporating nutrition education and behaviour change strategies within current guidelines. The COVID‐19 pandemic has presented a huge challenge to the delivery of healthy school food to young people. Analyses demonstrated that time, limited choice and healthiness impacted negatively upon young people's school food experience. Two hundred and fifty‐two responses were received, of which 91% reported a change in their school food provision, 77% reported time for lunch was shortened and 44% indicated the provision was perceived as less healthy during September 2020 (post‐lockdown school return) compared with March 2020 (pre‐lockdown). An online survey was posted on 8th October to 1st December 2020, targeted at young people, parents and staff of secondary/post‐16 education establishments in the UK. We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID‐19 school guidelines on secondary and post‐16 (16–18 years) food provision.

In re‐opening in September 2020, schools were required to meet guidelines to ensure the minimised impact of COVID‐19 on the population (DfE 2020).

The COVID‐19 pandemic resulted in UK school closures from March 2020. Schools are recognised as an effective ‘place’ setting to enable improvement to nutrition outcomes. The nutritional requirements of adolescence and the reported poor UK eating behaviours of young people are a significant public health concern.

812 befit meals