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Summary Background & aims Micronutrients are essential for brain development with deficiencies in specific nutrients linked to impaired cognitive function. Interventions are shown to be beneficial to children's mental development, particularly in subjects who were micronutrient-deficient at baseline but results on healthy subjects remain inconsistent. This systematic review evaluated the effect of micronutrient inventions on different cognitive domains. Studies conducted in both developing and developed countries, and trials that investigate the effect of both single and multiple micronutrient intervention were reviewed. Methods Systematic searches of Medline, CINAHL Plus and Academic Search database were undertaken to identify trials published after year 2000. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluate the effect of micronutrients on cognitive performance or academic performance among children aged 4–18 years were included. Results 19 trials were identified from 18 articles. The major cognitive outcomes assessed included fluid intelligence, crystallized intelligence, short-term memory, long-term memory, cognitive processing speed, attention and concentration, and school performance. Eight of ten trials assessing fluid intelligence reported significant positive effects of micronutrient supplementation among micronutrient-deficient children, especially those who were iron-deficient or iodine-deficient at baseline. The effects of micronutrient interventions on other domains were inconsistent. Conclusion Improvement in fluid intelligence among micronutrient-deficient children was consistently reported. Further research is needed to provide more definite evidence on the beneficial effects of micronutrient inventions on other cognitive domains and the effects in healthy subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Children have the highest rates of food ‐ related allergic reactions. While 85% of children outgrow allergies including cow's milk and eggs by five years of age, allergies to peanuts and seafood continue into adulthood. The school setting poses a high ‐ risk environment for allergen exposure. The aim of the present study was to examine the availability, drivers and communication of school food allergy awareness and management policies/guidelines in one Australian education jurisdiction. Methods: A cross ‐ sectional study comprising an online survey of principals on school allergy awareness (n = 100) was conducted in public, catholic and independent primary and high schools in an Australian education jurisdiction between August 2011 and November 2012. Results: Sixty ‐ three per cent (17/27) of schools responding to the survey reported using food allergy management guidelines. An average of 13 students per school were reported to have a food allergy with 93% of schools reported having students with at least one food allergy. Parents, not government policy, were identified as primary drivers of food allergy guideline implementation and a third of schools provided anaphylaxis training annually. Communication of food allergy management was limited with only 42 school websites either providing access to policies/guidelines or providing a food allergy statement. Conclusions: Detailed awareness and management guidelines are integral for schools to adequately manage food ‐ induced allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, in the school environment. To enable this, national government support through legislation and policy is needed to ensure a consistent, up ‐ to ‐ date and policed approach to food allergy management in the Australian education sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This review aimed to identify current research related to the use of school canteens in Australia, with a focus on their food and drink policy. In Australia, approximately 25% of 5–17‐year olds are considered overweight and obese. Up to 41% of energy intake for children aged between 4 and 18 years is found to come from discretionary foods. The structured nature of the school environment provides an ideal environment to address childhood obesity and encourage a culture of healthy eating. Methods: A systematic review of three key nutrition databases: ‘CINAHL’, ‘Academic search complete’ and ‘Medline’ (inception to 2015) was conducted. Inclusion criteria were: Australian, peer‐reviewed studies; studies regarding the purchase of food from school canteens; canteen studies involving students aged 5–18 years, school principals, parents, canteen managers, Parent and Citizen Association members and teachers. Results: The search identified 2741 studies with 12 meeting the inclusion criteria. In the main, studies were descriptive in nature with data summarised into four categories: (i) characteristics of canteens; (ii) canteen use and food availability; (iii) stakeholder perceptions and the role of school canteens; and (iv) compliance with policies and the barriers to healthy food implementation. Overall, compliance with healthy canteen policies was low, guidelines were rarely adhered to in terms of product provision and children had preferences for non‐healthy foods. Conclusions: Strategies to improve compliance, overcome the challenges and encourage stakeholder buy‐in are necessary if food habits are to be changed and healthy cultures developed within the school environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]