Preschool Children’S Lunch Micronutrient Intake Compared To Age-specific Recommendations

Preschool school lunches provide an important way for children to consume vitamins and minerals that meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for optimal growth and health. However, what is actually served and consumed is not restricted, potentially affecting consumption of a balanced diet. PURPOSE: Compare preschool lunch menus that meet dietary guidelines for micronutrients (vitamins A, C, D, folate, calcium, iron and zinc) to what is actually served and consumed by children. METHODS: Fifty-two preschool children (mean ± SE, age 3y and 10 m ± 2 m) from a university early childhood center participated in the 10-week study. Each day, 15 children were randomly selected for nutritional analysis of their lunch. Prior to and immediately after consumption, a picture of the child’s tray was taken using digital photography. If a child had additional food (second’s), additional pictures were taken. Analysis of energy and nutrient content for menus, food served, and food consumed was completed using Food Processor Nutrition Analysis by ESHA. RESULTS: There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference for Vitamin A (IU/day) between menu (2,356 ± 90), served (2,991 ± 291) and consumed (1502 ± 256). There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference for milligrams (mg) of Vitamin C between menu (19.3 ± 4.6) and served (18.6 ± 4.6) compared to what was consumed (9.2 ± 2.1). There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference for Vitamin D (IU/day) between menu (7.8 ± 1.0), served (10.3 ± 1.3) and consumed (7.4 ± 1.1). There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference for folate [(micrograms of dietary folate equivalents (mcg DFE/day)] between menu (83.9 ± 7.2), served (77.6 ± 5.8) and consumed (47.2 ± 5.6). There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference for calcium (mg/day) between menu (379.9 ± 18.8), served (386.1 ± 21.6) and consumed (291.9 ± 21.9). There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference for iron (mg/day) between menu (3.1 ± 0.2), served (3.6 ± 0.3) and consumed (2.2 ± 0.3). There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference for zinc (mg/day) between menu (2.2 ± 0.1), served (2.7 ± 0.2) and consumed (1.9 ± 0.2). CONCLUSION: The quantity of vitamins consumed at lunch was significantly less than the menu and served amounts for lunch, indicating that children were not meeting the dietary recommendations as intended, potentially contributing to long-term health consequences.