Nutritional status of children attending kindergarten in Kosovo

Given the importance of healthy nutrition during the early stages of life when among others, also eating habits are sharpened, the current study aimed to provide an overview of the nutritional status of Kosovo kindergarteners. This study involved 301 preschool children of both genders aged 2 to 6 years old, from five randomly selected kindergartens in Kosovo. A two-week surveillance was conducted at each of the five involved kindergartens, where data such as age, sex, and anthropometric measurements were collected to calculate body mass index (BMI) such as height and weight. Moreover, their menu, the quantity and types of foods consumed are analyzed. Then, it was calculated for each child: mean calorie intakes and means of macronutrient intakes (protein, fat and carbs), and compared to Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) recommendations for each age group. The findings of this study on BMI demonstrated a decrease in stunting occurrences and a tendency toward increased obesity in Kosovo children compared to previous studies. Also, it has been ascertained lack of balanced nutrition of children throughout their stay in kindergarten with a significant deviation (p<0.05) in total calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats intake from the FAO/ WHO recommendations.