Baseline Dietary Behaviors of Children for Nutritional Management Programs at Child Care Centers in Korea

영유아 보육시설의 영양관리 시범사업(I): 유아의 식생활 현황

The aim of this investigation was to collect the baseline data about growth, dietary behaviors, nutrient intakes and dietary quality of children at child care centers for planning nutritional management program. The dietary intakes were measured by weighing method for intakes at child care centers and by dietary records by children\\`s mothers for intakes at home. The weight and height were measured and calculated z-scores by using standard of the same age groups. The children were 163 boys and 168 girls and the mean age were 55.6 months(12-78 months) and 56.0 months(16-78 months). respectively. The Z-score for height(0.33) and weight(0. 11) showed that the growth of children were above average. Nutrients intakes such s energy, protein, fiber, iron, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B$_1$, vitamin C, niacin of boys from lunch and snack at day care centers were significantly higher than those of girls, and the meals at child care centers provided 20-37% of RDAs. The daily energy intakes were 1332.2kcal(83.1% RDA), protein 44. 26g(109.3% RDA), calcium 437.73mg(72.4% RDA), iron 7.24mg(72.4% RDA), vitamin A 459.6RE(113.1% RDA),vitamin B$_1$ 0.74mg(93.4% RDA), vitamin B$_2$0.79mg(79.7% RDA), niacin 7.66mg(69.9% RDA) and vitamin C 56.84mg(142.1% RDA). The nutrients which more than 50% of subjects ate less than 75% RDA were calcium, iron, niacin, and vitamin B$_2$.The average mean adequacy ratio was 0.80 and mean dietary variety score was 22.42, and those are positively correlated to % RDA of nutrient intakes. In summary, the children using child care centers consumed most nutrients below level of RDA and the nutritional management program at child care center is required to enhance the nutritional status of them. (Korean J Nutrition 33(8) : 890-900, 2000)