NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOL MENUS IN ISTANBUL

Öz

Background: Adequate and balanced nutrition in school-age children is highly important due to its association with growth, development and academic success. This study was conducted to assess the food groups and nutrient contents of the lunch menus in some primary schools in Istanbul. Methods: The study was conducted in İstanbul and included 15 randomly selected private primary schools. Each school’s one-month (20-day) lunch menus were assessed in terms of food groups, energy and nutrient contents. Nutrition Information System (BEBIS) 8.2 package program was used to calculate energy and nutrients. Türkiye Dietary Guidelines (TUBER) 2022 reference intake ranges were used to determine whether energy and nutrients were sufficient. Results: In the study, it was determined that all nutrients, except for calcium, met one-third of the recommended intake levels. The average saturated fat and sodium content of the menus exceeded both TUBER and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommendations. When the menus were evaluated according to food groups, it was determined that the grain and meat groups were at sufficient levels, while the vegetable, fruit and dairy groups were found to be insufficient. Conclusion: As a result of the research, it was determined that school lunch menus were inadequate in terms of some nutrients and food groups that should be consumed daily. In order to support the healthy growth and development of children, it is of great importance to expand and develop school lunch programs and improve the nutritional content and quality of these programs.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Child
• Menu planning
• Nutrition
• Nutritional assessment

İSTANBUL'DAKİ İLKOKUL MENÜLERİNİN BESLENME AÇISINDAN DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Öz

Amaç: Okul çağındaki çocuklarda yeterli ve dengeli beslenme, büyüme, gelişme ve okul başarısı ile ilişkili olması nedeniyle oldukça önemlidir. Bu çalışma, İstanbul'daki bazı ilkokulların öğle yemeği menülerinin besin grubu ve besin içeriklerini değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Yöntem: Araştırma İstanbul'da rastgele seçilen 15 özel ilkokul ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Okulların bir aylık (20 gün) öğle yemeği menüleri besin grubu, enerji ve besin içerikleri açısından değerlendirilmiştir. Enerji ve besin öğelerinin hesaplanmasında Beslenme Bilgi Sistemi (BEBİS) 8.2 paket programı kullanılmıştır. Enerji ve besin öğelerinin yeterli olup olmadığını belirlemek için Türkiye Beslenme Rehberi (TÜBER) 2022 referans alım aralıkları kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırmada kalsiyum dışında tüm besin ögelerinin yeterli alım miktarının üçte birini karşıladığı belirlenmiştir. Menülerin ortalama doymuş yağ ve sodyum içerikleri TÜBER ve Amerikan Tarım Bakanlığı (USDA) önerilerinin üzerinde bulunmuştur. Menüler besin gruplarına göre değerlendirildiğinde tahıl ve et grubunun yeterli düzeyde olduğu, sebze, meyve ve süt grubunun ise yetersiz miktarda olduğu saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Araştırma sonucunda okul öğle yemeği menülerinin günlük tüketilmesi gereken bazı besin ögeleri ve besin grupları açısından yetersiz olduğu belirlenmiştir. Çocukların sağlıklı büyüme ve gelişmelerinin desteklenmesi amacıyla okul öğle yemeği programlarının genişletilmesi, geliştirilmesi, bu programların besin içeriği ve kalitesinin iyileştirilmesi büyük önem taşımaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Çocuk
• Menü planlama
• Beslenme

Kaynakça

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