Evaluation of child-care centers' menus and nutritional status of children

In spite of the fact that menus provided in kindergartens have impacts on the nutritional status of children, there is a paucity of literature on this subject. The aim of this study is to determine whether the private child-care center menus meet energy and nutrient requirements for 2-5 years old children and to examine the effect of child care menus on nutritional status and diet quality of these children. The sociodemographic data, anthropometric measurements, three-day food records, and Child Feeding Questionnaire of the mothers (n=100) and their children (n=100) were collected through surveys conducted during the face to face interviews with the mothers. Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010 is also used to determine diet quality of the mother and the child. By utilizing CFQ scale, it was detected that scores of the sub-factor "Perceived Responsibility" were higher among overweight children and mothers with BMI over 25 kg/m2. (Respectively F=2,158, p<0,05; F=3,501, p<0,05). A meaningful correlation between the sub-factor ''Restriction'' and BMI (kg/ m2) of the mother was observed (F= 0,030, p<0,05). When the child care center menus were evaluated; it had been discovered that according to average energy distribution, the amount of energy supplied by carbohydrates was low (37%) while the amount of energy supplied by protein was close to the optimum (14,16%), and the amount of energy supplied by fat was high (48,84%). Positive correlations varying in degrees were examined between the energy content and nutrients of the menus and body weight, height, height by age, BMI by age, upper middle arm circumference and head circumference measurement of the children (p<0,05, p<0,01). According to a three day food record, the scores of healthy eating index HEI of the mothers and the children were compared, and a positive significant correlation was established between diet quality of the mothers and the children (p=0.00). Consequently, it was observed that the energy content and nutrients of the menus offered in child care centers along with diet quality of the mother have an impact on child development and nutrition.