Evaluation of the schoolchildrennutrition organization in Panevėžys city and district schools

Aim of the work. To investigate and evaluate schoolchildren nutrition in Panevėžys City and district schools. Objectives: • To explore schoolchildren nutrition habits considering their gender, age and living place. • To identify ways of schoolchildren nutrition at school. • To provide suggestions for schoolchildren nutrition improvement. Research methodology. The research was done in 2004/2005. Using a questionnaire method have been questioned 981 schoolchildren of ninth and eleventh classes selected at random from 7 comprehensive schools of Penevėžys region. It was used for the research anonymous questionnaire with 36 questions in it. Statistical data analysis have been done using SPSS11 program packet. Results. Almost half (45) of schoolchildren referred that they often eat fruits. Raw vegetables have eat lesser part of schoolchildren – 28,1 . 45 of respondents stated that they drink juice not more than once a week. From dairy products, more often used are milk, kefir, yoghurt (43,4), curd and cheese (32,5 ). Every other (40,5 ) schoolchild states that brown wholemeal bread they use every day. A fair part of schoolchildren select little nutrient value alimentary products: often schoolchildren eat sweets and chocolate (53,4 ), cookies, cakes (31,7 ), crisps (16,6 ), drink Coca-Cola and other sweet drinks (23 ). Also many schoolchildren like fried potatoes (20,4 ), choose white bread and French bread (67,8 ). Only every third schoolchild (32,4 ) state that they never use alcohol and regrettably 27,8 of schoolchildren admitted using it at least once a week. Girls in comparing with boys are more dissatisfied with the quality of nutrition services. Schoolchildren living in the village rarely meet problems connected with the long rows, lack of places for eating. Irrespective of living place and gender many schoolchildren were dissatisfied with the nutrition quality; tasteless food (61,2 boys, 66,6 girls), poor health after meal (boys – 43,7 ., girls – 47,2 ). Conclusions: When preparing schoolchildren nutrition programs and evaluating their effectiveness it is necessary to consider into stated unevenness of nutrition habits. When improving the quality of nutrition services at school, it should be taken into account the food quality, assortment of courses, clean and safe canteen environment