Determination of diet quality and plate wastes of primary school children

This study was conducted in a primary school to evaluate nutritional status of students comparing students' food consumption with plate wastes at lunch and to determine parental perception of their children's nutritional status. It was carried out in TED Karadeniz Eregli College Foundation of Primary School students, totally 186, who were attending 5th-8th grades between January-March 2014. Demographic information and nutritional habits of the students was collected via the questionnaire form applied in the school and anthropometric measurements were evaluated. The responses were compared with the collected information about students from the questionnaire applied by parents. Concurrently, students' school lunch consumption was evaluated by comparing weighed wastes along consecutive ten days period. Of all students, 65.6 % were normal weight, 23.4 % were overweight and 9.7 % were obese. There was a significant difference in height and BMI for age percentiles between students' self perception of height and body weight and parental perception of their children's height and body weight (p<0.05). There was also a significant positive correlation between students BMI percentiles and both BMI values of mothers and fathers (p<0.001). From the point of fruit and fast food consumption frequency, a significant difference was found between the answers of students and parents (p<0.05). The students spent 101.5 ± 63.25 minutes per day watching television and 83.0 ± 76.82 25 minutes per day with computer. There was a significant difference between girls and boys in terms of the time spent with computer (p>0.05). Among all students, 73.2 % were consumed food when watching television and playing computer. There was an insignificant positive correlation between the students BMI values and the time spent with television and computer (p>0.05). It was determined that, the amount of consumed energy, dietary fiber and calcium were lower than the daily recommended intake (p<0.05). Protein, fat, iron, vitamin A, omega-3 fatty acid and omega-6 fatty acid content of school meals were over than recommended intake for the most of the students. On the other hand, energy, dietary fiber and calcium contents were lower than the recommendations. Only the amount of vitamin C was met the school lunch recommendation. As a result of the study, it was pointed out the necessity of improving of the children and adolescent oriented health studies, creating of suitable environments for adequate and balanced nutrition, giving necessary information and cooperation with family, school and social environment. Keywords: School children, school lunch, plate waste, parental perception, diet quality