A report published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that parents preferred to give their children crisps, sweets and sugary drinks rather than vegetables, fruit and yoghurts.
Around 1,300 packed lunches of eight- and nine-year-old pupils at 89 schools across the UK were analysed for the research.
Sandwiches were among the most common items, but one in three fillings were low in protein and only one in 10 children had sandwiches containing salad or vegetables. Just one in 10 children were given a separate portion of vegetables.
Researchers at the University of Leeds compared the contents with government standards for school meals laid out in 2006 and 2008. These specified that school meals must contain protein-rich and low-fat foods, vegetables, fruit and dairy products, and banned sweets, crisps and artificially sweetened drinks.
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