The Australian trend today is towards more food being eaten outside the home. Malnutrition is commonly seen in both young and old in the form of obesity and dental decay. With the range of commercial foods available and so much pressure exerted through advertising, it is difficult to determine which foods are sound nutritionally.
Children are the prime target of food advertising because their food habits are still in the formative stage. They have increased nutritional requirements for growth and development. They need guidance with their choices of food to ensure a balanced daily diet as well as to help them form good food habits which thay can practice throughout their lives.
Children either take lunches to school or order from the tuckshop. As many children buy their lunches, the tuckshop plays an important role in educating children about foods which are good for health as well as
in providing at least a third of their nutritional requirements .