Avaliação qualitativa das ementas dos jardins-de-infância e escolas do primeiro ciclo de Pombal

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2010

Authors

Lopes, Sílvia (Author) Other; Rocha, Ada (Author) FCNAUP

Journal

Title: Revista de Alimentacao Humana

ISSN: 0873-4364

Publisher: Sociedade Portuguesa de Ciencias da nutricao e Alimentacao

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-010-MRR

Abstract (EN): Introduction: It is essential to create a relationship between health and education to influence children adopting knowledge, habits and attitudes that promote health. School canteens should supply healthy and safe meals in order to satisfy student's nutritional and energetic needs. It is a place where healthy food habits should be stimulated and practiced.Aims: On this study, it was developed a qualitative evaluation of school menus of public pre schools and elementary schools from Pombal municipality.Material and methods: Some quality criteria were previously established based on main recommendations for the elaboration of healthy menus, and menus under evaluation should follow them to be considered adequate in terms of nutritional content and balance. A detailed analysis including aspects related to soup, main course and dessert and other aspects considered relevant was also performed.Results: From menus' analysis, there were observed some unbalances such as vegetables' insufficient supply in soups and main course, reduced fish offer and insufficient presence of fruit. Fried foods' frequencies were twice higher than recommendations.Discussion: It was found that menus elaboration was done by non qualified personnel, what may have contributed to the unbalance found, as well as the parents' comments regarding menus and by preferences of students. Besides that the legislation is scarce since it does not oblige technical supervision of menus'elaboration.Conclusions: This study shows that it is necessary to make interventions in scholar community to create interventions that contribute to improve quality of scholar food.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific