Caloric and nutritive value of kindergarten meals in Zagreb after the implementation of the new National nutritive recommendations and standards 2007.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate diet quality in 15 kindergartens (9 public and 6 private) in the City of Zagreb after the implementation of new National nutritive recommendations and standards for preschool children in kindergartens in December 2007. Standardized analytical methods were used to analyse in total 60 whole-day meals, sampled by a method of duplicate meals, four times per year during 2008. The results of energy and nutritive values of whole-day meals were compared to the recommendations of the new Nutrition Standards calculated using 75% daily values, that correspond to an average of 8-10 hours preschool child stay per day. The total mean energy value of whole-day meals was 1247.95 kJ (5223.86 kJ) or 103.99% of the recommended standard. The mean fat value was 101% of the recommended standard or 43.20 g/day. The mean amount of carbohydrates was 165.39 g/day, which was 102% of the recommended standard. An excessive mean protein value in whole-day meals (> +30% amounted of the recommended standard) was measured in both public and private kindergartens. No significant difference between public and private kindergartens was identified regarding any of the evaluated parameters. Preschool children’s diet and adaptation of healthy eating habits is a public health concern, so it is important to reduce their protein intake significantly in whole-day meals for medical, ecological and ethical reasons.