The relationship between the reform of the nutrition system in preschool and school institutions and the health of children of different age groups

Nutrition plays an important role in children's development, health, academic performance, and productivity. Aim - to investigate how changes in the diet after the reform of the nutrition system in preschool and school institutions affect the health of children of different age groups. Materials and methods. The study involved 216 surveyed parents who provided information about 309 preschool and/or school-aged children, divided into two groups: the Group 1 - children under 6 years old (n=64); the Group 2 - children over 6 years old (n=245). The following research methods were used: analysis of medical literature (PubMed, UpToDate), questionnaires, and statistical methods. Results. After the implementation of the nutrition reform in educational institutions, the most noticeable and significant changes were a reduction in the amount of salt and sugar in meals, as well as an increase in dietary fiber. Preschool-aged children were significantly more likely to follow healthy eating habits at home compared to school-aged children (by 1.3 times). Overall, 52% of children received support from at least one parent regarding healthy eating outside educational institutions, with the Group 1 receiving such support more often, although the difference was not statistically significant. The transition to the new diet was easier for younger children (by 1.4 times). After the reform, the most notable health improvements in the Group 1 included a 1.6-fold decrease in vomiting and a 1.3-fold reduction in symptoms of constipation/diarrhea, while in the Group 2, there was a 1.5-fold decrease in heartburn and a 1.2-fold reduction in abdominal pain. Conclusions. The reform of the nutrition system in preschool and school educational institutions had a positive impact on children's health, especially when supported by the family and accompanied by adherence to healthy eating at home. The authors declare no conflict of interest.