[Trends in the methods of feeding school children and adolescents]

In the years 1972-1975 studies on the nutritional state and mode of nutrition were carried out in 6789 children aged 8, 11 and 14 years attending elementary schools in five different regions of the country. In the years 1977-1978 similar studies were done in 1288 children aged 16 years from selected secondary vocational schools in Warsaw. The statistical sample included 4740 children from 76 schools in cities (including those from Warsaw) and 2337 children from 82 elementary schools in rural regions. In the studies on the mode of nutrition of children from the elementary schools a uniform and verified qualitative method was used based on interviews of the children. In the case of adolescents from the secondary schools a quantitative-estimation method was applied using colour photographs illustrating portions of food products and dishes of varying size. Table 1 and Fig.I show the obtained results concerning the usual frequency of consumption of selected groups of food products in children from the elementary schools. It was found that the consumption of milk and its products was irregular in about 40% of children. A higher proportion of children in the urban areas in relation to those in the rural areas consumed more frequently milk products, and the amount of meat, pork products and butter in their diet was much higher. Irregular and rare consumption of vegetables and fruit was a characteristic feature of rural children. In a high proportion of all children a relatively frequent consumption of various sweets and cakes was found (Table 1, Fig. I). Furthermore, in only 14-21% of the studied population the proportion of brown bread, various cereals and dry grains of pulse crops in the diet was relatively satisfactory. The quantitative estimates of the average daily consumption of the basic groups of food products by the Warsaw adolescents compared with the recommended quantities showed a too low content of cereals in daily food portions, this content was nearly 40% below the recommended amount, and this was particularly true of groats and potatoes. Very low consumption of vegetables rich in vitamin C and carotene and pulse crops was noted (about 60% below the recommended intake), while the consumption of fruit was above the recommended one (Table 2). Milk consumption was too low, especially in girls (Table 3) but the consumption of rennet cheeses was higher compensating thus in part the deficient intake of milk. The intake of meat, particularly pork products, and butter was above the recommended level, more so in boys. In the group of meat products fish was scarce. Sugar intake was higher, more so in girls. A comparison of the average daily consumption of the basic groups of food products by urban and rural children showed (Table 4 and 5), that the consumption of milk products in daily food ration was only 50% of the recommended one in rural children, country girls ate also too little eggs, while sugar intake was highest in them, in relation to the recommended amount...