Younger students wasted more plate waste than older students

What the study found: Younger students in the Latvian schools studied wasted more plate waste on average than older students. The age difference was consistent across the study period, although it was not seen in one of the four schools.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors conclude that the findings suggest a need for age-specific interventions, such as smaller portions for younger students or repeated exposure to less-preferred foods to help broaden taste preferences and support more sustainable eating behaviour.
What the researchers tested: The pilot study measured plate waste, meaning food left uneaten on students' plates, in four schools in Rezekne, Latvia. It compared primary school students aged 7–10 with lower secondary students aged 11–13 using a partly pre-served catering model with fixed portions and no choice of dishes or portion sizes.
What worked and what didn't: A two-way analysis of variance found a significant age effect on filtered plate waste, with younger students wasting more food on average than older students. There was no significant month effect and no significant age-by-month interaction, and younger students generated significantly more plate waste in three schools but not in the fourth.
What to keep in mind: The study is described as a pilot study and was limited to four schools. The analysis used filtered plate waste, focusing only on staples and meat/fish dishes and excluding inconsistently served items.

Key points

• Younger primary school students wasted more plate waste than older lower secondary students.
• The age difference did not change across the three measurement periods.
• There was no significant month effect or age-by-month interaction.
• Younger students showed significantly more plate waste in three of the four schools, but not in one school.
• The authors suggest age-specific interventions, including smaller portions for younger students.