Diet quality in Kazakhstan schools and kindergartens: Implications for national nutrition policy

Nutrition during preschool and school age plays a crucial role in the development of sustainable dietary habits and is a key determinant of child health. In the context of ongoing revisions to national nutrition standards in Kazakhstan, current evidence on dietary quality in organized educational settings is highly relevant. This study aimed to assess the quality of nutrition among preschool and school-aged children in Kazakhstan and to identify potential gaps in the organization of institutional meal provision.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021-2023 among 700 children and adolescents attending kindergartens and schools in various regions of Kazakhstan. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, health status, and anthropometric measurements. An integrated Diet Quality Index (0-18 points) was developed, incorporating meal regularity and the frequency of consumption of key food groups. Group comparisons (school vs. kindergarten) were performed using the Chi-square test. Statistical analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 31.0.

The median Diet Quality Index score was 12.44 ± 2.31 (interquartile range 12-13), corresponding to 69.1% of the maximum possible value. Overall, dietary quality was satisfactory; however, structural imbalances were identified. Carbohydrate-rich foods-particularly bread, bakery products, and cereals-contributed most substantially to the overall score. Insufficient consumption of vegetables, fruits, and nutrient-dense foods was observed, despite regular meal patterns.

Standardized meal provision practices ensure relative uniformity across regions; however, overall diet quality remains suboptimal. The findings highlight the need to improve menu composition and support the continued revision of national nutrition standards. Future studies should include detailed nutrient-level analyses and longitudinal assessments of dietary patterns.