Triple Burden of Malnutrition among Preschoolers: Lunchbox Nutritional Composition in Amman, Jordan

Background Adequate nutrition for preschool-aged children is critical for proper growth and development. Preschoolers who attend the nursery spend a third of their day in the nursery and eat at least half of their meals each day there. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the nutrient composition of preschoolers’ lunchboxes. Objective This study was conducted to assess the energy and nutrient content of lunchboxes brought by preschoolers aged 2–4 years and to relate this to their nutritional status. Methods A cross-sectional study of preschoolers (aged 2–4 years) was conducted. The contents of the preschoolers’ lunchboxes were gathered via a 3-day weighed food record. Preschoolers’ anthropometric measures were taken. Results Preschoolers’ lunchboxes had an average energy content of 800.08 (285.40) kcal for the 2–3-year-old group and 848.37 (321.88 kcal for the 4-year-old group. They were all within the acceptable macronutrient distribution range (AMDR) and were composed of 62% carbohydrates, 12% protein, and 27% fat. Vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are fat-soluble, were present at lower levels than the RDA. Among the water-soluble vitamins that were examined in this study, vitamin C was above the RDA, whereas vitamin B12 was below it. While iron was above the RDA, zinc and calcium were below it. The preschoolers who participated had a triple burden of malnutrition: 27% were at risk of becoming overweight, 20% were overweight, 9% were obese, and 6% were stunted. Conclusions The findings concerning the micronutrient composition of lunchboxes reveal a nutritional imbalance that appears to have an immediate and long-term impact on preschoolers’ nutritional and health conditions.