어린이집과 유치원 아동의 점심 급식을 통한 영양 섭취 평가

Nutrient Consumption of Children from Lunch at Child Day Care Centers and Kindergartens

This study assessed the nutrient consumption of children from lunch at day care centers and kindergartens. A total of 184 lunch plates were selected in two child day care centers and two kindergartens in Seoul. Weights of the menus in planned meals were measured and amount of served and consumed lunches were calculated using a digital photography technique. Nutrients of the planned, served, and consumed lunches were assessed using CAN-Pro 4.0 and the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) was calculated for each meal. Compared with the estimated energy requirement for lunch for 3-5 year old children, the planned meals of the child day care centers and kindergartens contributed 42.8% and 98.8% of the daily energy requirements, respectively. At a child day care center, a served meal provided more nutrients than a planned meal since some children requested more servings after eating the served meals. This showed that the planned meal did not meet children's needs as well as the nutrient requirements. At the other child care center, children were served less than the planned meal by 6.8%, which resulted in serving less energy, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C than the required nutrients for lunch. Kindergarten A served meals with the energy requirement for lunch of 101.8%, but Kindergarten B served a meal with the energy requirement of 83.5%. Since the served portions were too small to meet nutrient requirements of the children, they consumed almost all the food served, and their nutrient consumption was similar to the nutrients served. Even though they consumed all the food served, their nutrient consumption did not meet their nutritional requirements. When assessed by INQ, the quality of the meal was good; children could consume enough nutrients when served proper quantity. Teachers who are responsible for serving meals need to be educated on proper portion sizes and how to encourage children to practice healthy eating. To promote healthy eating among children, parents need to provide children with messages consistent with what they have learned at institutions and to be a good role model in daily dietary life.