Assessment of the quality of meals in kindergarten

Cilj istraživanja: Istražiti kvalitetu obroka u dječjem vrtiću te utvrditi eventualne razlike u kvaliteti analiziranih obroka prije i nakon uvođenja novih Prehrambenih standarda za planiranje prehrane u dječjem vrtiću. Materijali i metode: Primjenom standardnih analitičkih metoda analizirano je ukupno 54 cjelodnevnih obroka u razdoblju od 2002. do 2016. godine uzorkovanih metodom dvostrukih obroka. Dobiveni rezultati o energetskoj vrijednosti obroka i sadržaju prehrambenih tvari uspoređeni su s važećim prehrambenim standardima. Rezultati: Energetska vrijednost obroka za vrtićku dob u promatranom razdoblju unutar je zadanih preporuka za 75% dnevni unos i iznosila je 1227,8 kcal (5137,3 kJ). Prosječne vrijednosti bjelančevina iznosile su 47,6 g ili 126,9 % preporučenih vrijednosti, masti 40,6 g ili 94,1 %, a ugljikohidrata 168,1 g ili 101,8 % preporučenih vrijednosti. Udio pojedinih prehrambenih tvari u ukupnoj energetskoj strukturi obroka ukazuje da su bjelančevine iznad, a masti ispod preporučenih vrijednosti. Razlike u pripremljenim obrocima prije i nakon uvođenja novih Prehrambenih standarda za planiranje prehrane djece u dječjem vrtiću očituju se u udjelima masti (P=0,007) i bjelančevina (P=0,017) u cjelodnevnoj strukturi obroka. Zaključak: Temeljem istraživanja kvalitete obroka u dječjem vrtiću dobiveni rezultati ukazuju na odgovarajuću energetsku vrijednost obroka i udjela ugljikohidrata u njima, ali i na razlike nakon uvođenja novih Prehrambenih standarda koje se očituju u većem udjelu masti i manjem udjelu bjelančevina. Time se očituje napredak u prehrani djece obzirom da prije uvođenja novih standarda ti parametri u energetskoj strukturi obroka nisu bili sukladni preporukama za pravilnu prehranu djece.Objective of the research study: The aim of the study was to research the quality of kindergarten meals, analyse and identify eventual divergence in meals quality before and after the implementation of new nutritive standards for healthy meal plan in kindergartens. Materials and Methods: Standardized analytical methods were used to analyse in total 54 whole-day meals, sampled by a method of duplicate meals, during the period from 2002. to 2016. The results of energy and nutritive values of meals were compared to the recommendations of the current nutritive standards. Results: During the analysis period, the total mean energy value of whole-day meal for preschool children was 1227.8 kcal (5137.3 kJ), that correspond to the recommended standard of 75% daily values. The total mean protein value was 47.6 g or 126.9 % , the total mean fat value was 40.6 g or 94.1 %, and the mean amount of carbohydrates was 168.1 g or 101.8 % of the recommended standards. The result indicate that mean protein value was excessive and mean fat value was deficient according to recommended standards. Divergence of quality, before and after the implementation of new nutritive standards for healthy meal plan in kindergartens has manifested in total mean fat value (P=0.007) and total mean protein value (P=0.017) of whole-day meals. Conclusion: The result of this research study indicate the adequate energy value and mean amount of carbohydrates in whole-day meal for preschool children in the kindergartens. Also, this study represents significan difference of meals quality after the implementation of new nutritive standards which are based on the reducing protein and increasing fat intake in whole-day meals. This shows the advancement in the diet of preschool children due the fact the parameters in the energy structure of meals were not in line with the nutrition recommendations for preschool children