AUTHOR=Vincentini Julia , Riou Julien , Häusermann Tanja , Schwitzguebel Joëlle , Estoppey Younes Sandrine , Catalano Loan , Brombach Christine , Chaouch Aziz , Chatelan Angeline , Dratva Julia , Isler Franziska , Müller Pascal , Rezzi Serge , Righini-Grunder Franziska , Rohrmann Sabine , Saner Christoph , Simonetti Giacomo D. , Uhlmann Katja , Vanoni Federica , Zuberbuehler Christine Anne , Siegfried-Troxler Aline , Suggs Suzanne , van der Horst Klazine , Bochud Murielle 
  
TITLE=The First Swiss National Nutrition Survey in Children and Adolescents, menuCH-Kids: Study Design, Participants, and Data Quality
  
JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health
  
VOLUME=Volume 71 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609314
  
DOI=10.3389/ijph.2026.1609314
  
ISSN=1661-8564
  
ABSTRACT=ObjectivesmenuCH-Kids was launched to generate the first Swiss nationwide children’s dietary data, assess food contaminant exposure, and inform nutrition policies. This paper describes the methods, data quality, and participants characteristics.MethodsIn 2023–2024, a cross-sectional population-based survey in six Swiss centres collected dietary data via two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls/records and a Food Propensity Questionnaire; lifestyle, health, eating behaviours and sociodemographic information via online questionnaires; anthropometrics, urine, and voluntary blood samples by trained professionals with standardized procedures in 6–17-year-olds. Area-based socioeconomic position (Swiss-SEP) was linked to home addresses. Statistical weights corrected for unequal selection probabilities and non-response. Factors associated with participation were explored using logistic regressions.Results1,852 participants attended the visit (participation rate = 11.9%). Data quality was high (<6% missing values, 15.1% dietary under-reporters, and 98% of biosamples processed on time). Non-participants were older, male, non-Swiss, from lower socioeconomic neighbourhoods, and smaller household. Adding socioeconomic position improved participation prediction models.ConclusionmenuCH-Kids provides high-quality dietary and health data on Swiss youth. Low participation highlights the need for a weighting strategy including socioeconomic position to compensate biases.