Nutritional Status of School Lunch-Supported Elementary School Children in Gyeongbuk Rural Area

Park, Na Young; Choi, Young Sun

Abstract

The number of school lunch-supported children who belong to low-income families has been rapidly increased in Korea. This study was aimed at evaluation of nutritional status of school lunch-supported elementary school children. One hundred school lunch-supported children and 119 non-supported children of fourth to sixth year class in 3 elementary schools in Gyeongbuk rural area were selected, and surveys were conducted twice, i.e., once during school term and once during summer vacation in 2006. Food consumption survey during school term was carried out through an interview by dieticians at school-lunch time using a 24-hour recall method, and the survey during summer vacation conducted by recording food intakes for three days by children. Nutrient intakes were calculated using CAN-Pro 3.0 program. School lunch-supported children showed higher rate of skipping breakfast and rather irregular meal time as compared to non-supported students. Eating alone was more frequent in school lunch-supported children than in nonsupported children. The average nutrient intakes and nutrient adequacy ratios were lower in supported children than in non-supported children. During term, percentages of nutrient intakes provided by school-lunch were higher in supported children than in non-supported children. Intakes of energy nutrients were within acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges, but proportion of carbohydrate intake increased during vacation. Analysis of patterns of food intakes based on major food groups (dairy, meat, grain, fruit, vegetable) indicated that meals during term were more balanced as compared to meals during vacation. In conclusion, food behaviors and nutrient intakes of school lunchsupported children were inferior to those of non-supported children during term and during summer vacation. They were provided with more nutrient intakes from school lunch during term as compared to non-supported children. Therefore, it is necessary not only to keep meal support program during vacation but also to provide a proper nutrition education as a part of school lunch program to improve nutritional status and food behaviors of school lunch-supported children.