engleski

Seasonal variations in daily dietary macronutrient intake of pre-school children in nurseries of Zadar County

Today pre-school children spend most of the day time (8-10 h) in a nursery where they get about 80% or more of their daily dietary needs through four meals. Most chronic diseases in adulthood originate from nutritional habits, which are mainly formed during childhood. Balanced nutrition has an important role in children’ s development and helps to avoid the occurrence of a number of health disorders in adolescence and adulthood. Diet should be assorted and balanced in protein, lipid, carbohydrate, vitamin, and essential mineral contents in order to achieve the adequacy of nutrition for growth, development and disease prevention. We collected the duplicate portions of the meals that were served to group of healthy pre-school children aged 6 to 7 years in nurseries of Zadar County during winter and spring periods of 10 consecutive days. Concurrent 10-day food records were taken in collaboration with the nursery staff. Energy value in pre-treated duplicate portion samples were measured and direct analyses of protein (Kjeldahl method), lipid (Soxhlet method), carbohydrate (calculated), water (gravimetric method) and ash content (gravimetric method) were performed accordingly. Essential and toxic mineral elements are to be analysed. The study has been approved by responsible bioethical committees.Seasonal differences between the results were statistically evaluated and compared with the recommended daily allowances (RDA). Since children are vulnerable population group, it is necessary to evaluate and balance an overall diet quality with special emphasis in harmonising energy intake values as well as presence of different types of food.

nutrition; children; pre-school age; seasonal variations; meal energy value; recommended dietary values

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