[Comparative study of nutritional status of school-age children fed at home and in schools]

Comparative study of the nutritional status of schoolchildren fed at home and in schools is a part of a broader study conducted in primary schools in Belgrade which comprised 1083 children, aged 7-11. The aim of investigation was to determine whether the nutritional status of children fed at home was different from the nutritional status of those fed in schools, and to determine the reasons of possible differences. The investigation concerned 756 children. The nutritional status of children was assessed by anthropometric measures (BH,BW,AC,AMC,ST,RBW,BMI)% of fat), haemoglobin concentration in the serum and the value of blood pressure. The quality of nutrition in each child was assessed by a questionnaire and his/her daily energy expenditure calculated on the basis of individual daily physical activities. Other date have also been taken into consideration (economical status of a family, education in nutrition and in general, etc.). Results show that nutrition in schools is not adjusted to RDA and that children fed in schools are worse nourished, in lesser percent obese and have lower level of BP than the coevals fed only at home. The differences are visible and statistically significant among the oldest in this age group. They are the result of differences in the individual whole day nutrition and several other factors which have been taken into account.