Diet Of Preschool Children Research Articles

Parental control attitudes over their pre-school children's diet.

It is during childhood that eating behaviors begin to form, with parents being the main agents in this process. Parents have eating habits that shape their children's diet, both in terms of variety and quantity of food eaten. The aim is to analyze sociodemographic factors related to parental control over their children's diet. Descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional study, with a sample of 46 parents of preschool children. An online questionnaire was used to collect data, with data processing carried out using SPSS, using descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority of respondents were mothers (89.1%), belonged to the 20-44 age group (89.1%), and were married (89.1%). The mean of the subscales of the children's food questionnaire food restriction, pressure to eat, and monitoring was 3.266 ± 0.570, 3.109 ± 1.206, and 4.268 ± 0.848, respectively. The mean rank score for the food restriction subscale differed significantly between parents with different age groups (Mann-Whitney: p < 0.014), with the 45-64 age group having the highest mean rank, i.e., they restricted their children more in food. The age group is a factor related to food restriction, making it essential to take a closer look at the parents of that age group, during the health education process.

Nutriative Support Strategy in the Catering of Preschool Children with the Food Intolerance

Catering in child welfare institutions, considering the individual characteristics of food tolerance, is an urgent problem. The research aims at substantiating and optimizing the preschool children diet with food intolerance scientifically. The authors assessed diets of children with food intolerance – pupils of a specialized preschool institution located in the ecologically unfavorable territory of the Sverdlovsk region. A man developed scientifical ly based diets in accordance with the physiological needs and clinical and immunological children profile. 97.8 % of the children included in the study demonstrated food intoler ance, and each child had the recommendation to exclude from 1 to 29 products. The diets developed by the immunologist in preschool had an unreasonably limited range of food products, did not meet the physiological need for energy, macronutrients, vitamins B1, B2, calcium. A man relates eggs, milk and fish intolerance to a permeability violation of the natural intestinal mucosa barriers. The diet modeling in the preschool institutions relied on the clinical and immunological studies data, adaptive-compensatory and detoxification mechanisms of food substances action. The developed hypoallergenic menu enables to optimize the diet in terms of nutrient and amino acid composition, in particular by imple menting foods with increased nutritional and biological value. A man adjusted the diet to the physiological needs of children, strengthened the protective-compensatory and detoxification orientation to reduce the morbidity risk. The initially formed elimination nutrition model in preschool leads to a protein-energy deficit, dietary fiber, B vitamins and minerals (calcium) deficiency, which affected the physical children development, and the metals elimination, decrease in the protective and adaptive body functions, worsening atopic dermatitis symptoms.

Рыбные кулинарные изделия для дошкольников

Studies have been carried out to expand the range of baked fish pates and include them in the diet of preschool children. This goal was achieved by using protein lean fish raw materials (pike and pike perch) that traditionally included in the diet of preschool children. There was analyzed one-day menu from the meal plan including three meals a day for the children in the municipal kindergarten in Astrakhan. It has been found that introducing an additional fish product in most attractive way into the diet of a preschooler will have a positive effect on the diet balance. To substantiate using freshwater protein fish with a low fat content as the main component of baked pates their volumes were studied in the Volga-Caspian and North-Caspian fishery subdistricts of the Astrakhan region over the past 3 years and the size-mass composition of pike perch and pike was analyzed. Experimental studies have been ecarried out to improve the recipe compositions of baked pates. The turkey breast is an auxiliary enriching and flavoring component used in the production of baked pates; vegetable components are included in the recipe compositions: carrots and spinach, as well as cereal processing products - oatmeal - and table salt. A comparative analysis of organoleptic and physico-chemical indicators of quality, chemical composition and energy value of baked pates was carried out. To assess the balance of experimental recipes for baked pates produced by recipe No. 2.4 and having the most attractive organoleptic characteristics and reduced energy value, the content of certain micronutrients in them was calculated. It has been established that the resulting food products have a sufficiently high nutritional value. Analysis of nutrient satisfaction in the needs of preschool children when baked pates are included in the diet in the amount of 100 g showed that they are able to increase the satisfaction of the daily need of preschool children in some water-soluble (B2, B6) and fat-soluble vitamins and in some minerals (Ca, P, K, Mg, Mn).

Experience in organizing a ketogenic diet in preschool children

Ketogenic diet (KD) refers to promising methods of treatment of epilepsy resistant to anticonvulsants. A clinical case of the use of KD in a child with drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) is presented. This clinical case demonstrates the effectiveness of KD in a child with DRE in the form of achieving 100% control over seizures and positive shifts in the psycho-motor development of the child and positive changes in the child’s psychomotor development while ensuring adequate physical health.

Promoting a healthy diet in preschool children: a qualitative study about early childhood educators’ perspectives

ABSTRACT Most young children attend daycare regularly, making these institutions valuable in health and nutrition education. This study aimed to explore the Portuguese early childhood educators’ perspectives on their role in promoting young children’s healthy diets through semi-structured interviews with ten educators. We used a thematic analysis approach, and identified six themes: 1) Educators are concerned about children’s eating patterns and identify cues that guide them in promoting the child’s healthy diet; 2) Educators recognise their role in promoting nutrition education in their direct work children; 3) Educators have clear ideas about methods to promote healthy eating habits, including class activities and feeding practices; 4) Educators reported several childcare centres and children’s characteristics that hinder or facilitate their role on promoting children’s healthy diet; 5) Educators reported family characteristics that hinder or facilitate their role on promoting children’s healthy diet; 6) Supporting families is a more challenging task. These findings can contribute to inform about specific needs for improving training on feeding practices and childcare centre policies regarding food availability and mealtime routines.

Rural and Urban Differences in Household Food Insecurity and Diet Diversity of Preschool Children (PSC) in Occidental Mindoro

Objective. Rural and urban differences affect food availability, accessibility, and sustainability; thus, it has a greatimpact on household food security and dietary diversity. The relationship between the human environment andother factors threatens different domains of food systems resulting in food security. The objective of this study isto determine significant differences between the prevalence of household food security and diet diversity betweenurban and rural communities in Occidental Mindoro. Specifically, to determine the pattern of usual food intake ofpreschool children between rural and urban communities&#x0D; Methods. This study utilized a comparative, cross-sectional, analytic study design in order to determine theprevalence of each variable of interest in the two study areas. Radimer-Cornell Tool was utilized to assess the foodsecurity status of the household while the FAO-Dietary Diversity Score Questionnaire was used to the diversityof diet among PSC. A total of 480 (rural: n=240; urban: n=240) preschool children were recruited to participatein this study. Ratio and proportion using the point and interval estimate were used to determine the prevalencein different areas, meanwhile, chi-square of homogeneity was used to determine significant difference in the twoareas under study.&#x0D; Results. Food insecurity in rural communities was found to be at 56.25% (95% CI: 49.97% to 62.53%) while theprevalence in urban communities was 45.83% (95% CI: 39.53% to 52.14%). There was a significant differencein the prevalence of household food insecurity between rural and urban communities (p=0.0224). Meanwhile,the prevalence of less dietary diversity among preschool children in rural communities was 37.08% (95%: 30.97%to 43.19%) and 26.25% (CI: 20.68% to 31.82%) for urban communities. There was a significant differencein prevalence of low dietary diversity score among preschool children between rural and urban communities(p=0.0107).&#x0D; Conclusion. There were significant differences in terms of household food insecurity and less diverse dietbetween two community settings. Higher prevalence in rural areas signifies that there is a need to prioritize thesevulnerable communities in terms of hunger mitigation and nutrition programs. A combination of milk-rice-meat-fishwas observed in the diet of preschool children for both communities however, higher prevalence of less dietarydiversity was detected among rural communities.

Rationale, design and study protocol of the ‘Strong Families Start at Home’ feasibility trial to improve the diet quality of low-income, ethnically diverse children by helping parents improve their feeding and food preparation practices

There is an urgent need to create effective interventions that help parents establish a healthy diet among their children early in life, especially among low-income and ethnically and racially diverse families. U.S. children eat too few fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and too many energy dense foods, dietary behaviors associated with increased morbidity from chronic diseases. Parents play a key role in shaping children's diets. Best practices suggest that parents should involve children in food preparation, and offer, encourage and model eating a variety of healthy foods. In addition, while parents help to shape food preferences, not all children respond in the same way. Certain child appetitive traits, such as satiety responsiveness (sensitivity to internal satiety signals), food responsiveness (sensitivity to external food cues), and food fussiness may help explain some of these differences. Prior interventions to improve the diet of preschool children have not used a holistic approach that targets the home food environment, by focusing on food quality, food preparation, and positive feeding practices while also acknowledging a child's appetitive traits. This manuscript describes the rationale and design for a 6-month pilot randomized controlled trial, Strong Families Start at Home, that randomizes parents and their 2-to 5-year old children to either a home-based environmental dietary intervention or an attention-control group. The primary aim of the study is to explore the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and evaluation and to determine the intervention's preliminary efficacy on child diet quality, feeding practices, and availability of healthy foods in the home.

Assessment of selected nutrient intake by Polish preschool children compared to dietary recommendations: a meta-analysis.

IntroductionIn recent years a steady increase in the number of obese people has been observed worldwide. This problem is also increasingly applicable to children and adolescents. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies carried out in Poland over ten years (2005–2015) which analysed the diet of preschool children and assessed how significantly it affects the prevention of diet-dependent disease.Material and methodsTwo of the researchers independently performed a systematic search of Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Polish Medical Bibliography to find studies published between 2005 and 2015. The variance of the means of differences between selected factors in relation to dietary guidelines and standards for preschool children was estimated by summing the individual variances of means. The means of differences between selected factors across the studies were pooled using random-effects model meta-analysis.ResultsThe analysis included a total of 2095 children. Mean protein content in the diet of children studied is 111% higher than indicated in dietary recommendations for this age group; mean consumption of carbohydrates in the study group is 24% higher than recommended. In moderately high calorie diets, analysis showed that the recommended norm is exceeded by 47%, CE 0.77, p < 0.001.ConclusionsNutrient intake is not compliant with recommendations for this age group and could not only inhibit physical development, but also increase the risk of diet-dependent diseases.

Physical Activity, Body Mass, and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in the Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia).

Physical activity, body mass, and dietary habits are known to be important determinants of overall health status, but there is an evident lack of studies that examine these issues specifically in preschool children. The aim of this study was to identify associations that may exist between adhering to the Mediterranean diet (MD), levels of physical activity (PA), and body composition indices in apparently healthy preschool children from southern Croatia. Participants were 5- to 6-year-old preschoolers from the Mediterranean part of the country (the Split-Dalmatia County; n = 260, 126 females). Adherence to the MD was observed by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), PA level was evaluated by the Preschool-age Children’s Physical Activity Questionnaire (Pre-PAQ), and responses were collected from the parents. The participants’ waist circumferences (in cm), waist-to-hip ratios, and body mass index (in kg/m2, and in a z-score calculated relative to the normative value for age and sex) were used as indicators of body composition. All children were of the same age and tested over a one-month period of the same year as a part of the regular examination undertaken before attending elementary school. With only 6% of the children having a low KIDMED score, adherence to the MD was high. MD adherence was higher in girls (Chi-square = 15.31, p < 0.01) and children who live on the coast of the Adriatic Sea (Chi-square = 18.51, p < 0.01). A mixed effects logistic regression (with kindergarten as random factor) identified sedentary activity to be negatively associated with MD adherence (OR per point: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44–0.91). High adherence to the MD in the studied sample may be attributed to regulated feeding in kindergarten. Considering that most Croatian elementary schools do not provide food to their students, MD adherence should be investigated later in life and also in other parts of the country where the MD is culturally less prevalent.

Nutrition education discouraging sugar intake results in higher nutrient density in diets of pre-school children.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESThe intake of sugar has increased worldwide, and it is well established that childhood experiences and food preferences affect lifelong eating habits. To discourage sugar intake, nutrition education was imparted, and the effectiveness of the nutrition education program was investigated by considering the nutrient density and major dietary sources of sugar intake.SUBJECTS/METHODSTwenty four-hour dietary recall and sugar intake frequency of 96 pre-school children (educated n = 47; non-educated n = 49) were collected on 3 consecutive days (1 weekend day, 2 weekdays) after 11 weeks of imparting nutrition education. Dietary intake of nutrients and total sugar were analyzed, and the intake frequency of sugar source foods were identified. All nutrition education programs were focused on a hands-on education program, and consisted of cooking lab, play, activity, animation, and visual materials. The difference between the two groups was verified by the Chi-square test or t-test. All statistical analysis was performed with significance level at P < 0.05.RESULTSCompared to the non-educated group, the intakes of protein (P < 0.001), fiber (P < 0.01), potassium (P < 0.05), iron (P < 0.05), zinc (P < 0.05), and iodine (P < 0.001) were significantly higher, and the intakes of carbohydrate (P < 0.01) and total sugar (P < 0.05) were significantly lower in the educated group. The cumulative percent of sugar intake of top 20 sugar source foods in the educated group (82.80%) was lower than that of the non-educated group (85.75%). The contribution of beverages on total sugar intake was lower in the educated group. The average frequency of consuming sugary foods was significantly lower in the educated group (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONSOur results indicate that nutrition education on discouraging sugar intake is effective in reducing the amount of total sugar consumed, resulting higher nutrient density in the diets of pre-school children.

Assessment of vitamins and minerals content in the diets of preschool children

Assessment of vitamins and minerals content in the diets of preschool children

Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic Bioaccessibility of 24 h Duplicate Diet Ingested by Preschool Children Attending Day Care Centers in Brazil.

Lead, known as a metal with high neurotoxicity to children, cadmium, which is a carcinogenic and bioaccumulative contaminant, and arsenic, a class 1 carcinogenic according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, are toxic elements (TEs) whose relevant route of exposure may be diet. We determined the bio-accessible fraction of lead, cadmium, and arsenic from the diet of preschool children from two day care centers (DCC). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 64 one–four-year-old children from two DCCs where the 24-h duplicate diet samples were collected. The diet samples were analyzed by ICP-MS for lead, cadmium, and arsenic total concentrations (n = 64) and their bio-accessibility were analyzed for a subsample (n = 10). The dietary intake (DI) mean for lead, cadmium, and arsenic were 0.18 ± 0.11 µg kg−1 bw, 0.08 ± 0.04 µg kg−1 bw, and 0.61 ± 0.41 µg kg−1 bw, respectively. All DI calculated for TEs, considering total intake, were found lower than the tolerable limits (TL) (European Union, or World Health Organization, WHO, when applicable) except for one child’s Pb intake. Bio-accessibilities ranged between 0% to 93%, 0% to 103%, and 0% to 69%, for lead, cadmium, and arsenic, respectively. Although DI for TEs has been found lower than TL, these reference values have been recently decreased or withdrawn since it was for lead and arsenic whose TL were withdrawn by WHO.

Gender differences and typical nutrition concerns of the diets of preschool children \u2013 the results of the first stage of an intervention study

BackgroundNutrition in children has an important influence on health both in childhood and adulthood. Actions aimed at improving children’s nutrition are essential, not only to the children and their families, but also to the whole society. The aim of the study was to present the results of nutrient intake before starting a nutrition and physical activity intervention programme, to investigate gender differences in nutrient intake and to discuss whether the preschoolers’ nutrient intake is similar to the intake of their peers from other countries.MethodsNutrient intake was estimated from seven-day weighed food records kept by parents and preschool staff individually for 122 4–6-year-old children who attended two preschools in Piła, north-western Poland. Nutrient intake was calculated using Dieta 4.0 computer programme including water intake and intake of nutrients from dietary supplements. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics computer programme, version 21.0, according to gender. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences (reference number 886/08).ResultsBoys, in comparison to girls, were found to have statistically significantly higher intakes of total protein, total protein per kg of body weight, saturated fatty acids, total carbohydrates, available carbohydrates, lactose, sucrose, total water, vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Statistically significantly higher percentage of girls than boys had intakes of vitamin E below AI.ConclusionsGender was a significant factor of nutrient intake in the studied preschool children. The main nutritional concerns in the studied preschoolers’ diets, irrespective of gender, are typical of the diets of preschool children from various parts of Europe and indicate the need to work out common nutritional strategies to improve preschoolers’ nutrition across Europe to reduce future burden of diet-related diseases to the European societies.

Association between Perceived Neighborhood Food Environment, Weight and Diet of Preschool Children

Association between Perceived Neighborhood Food Environment, Weight and Diet of Preschool Children

Effects of Nutrient-Fortified Milk-Based Formula on the Nutritional Status and Psychomotor Skills of Preschool Children

This randomized, single-masked, controlled trial examined the effects of nutrient-fortified milk-based formula supplementation on nutritional status, nutrient intake, and psychomotor skills of selected preschool children with mean age of 4.10 ± 0.14 years. The study participants were divided equally into three major groups, normal, underweight, and severely underweight based on WHO-Child Growth Standards, and were further divided into two groups: fortified milk group who was given two glasses of fortified milk (50 g of powdered milk/serving) a day for twelve weeks in addition to their usual diet and the nonintervention group who was not given fortified milk and thus maintained their usual intake. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, and psychomotor developmental score were analyzed. Results showed that consumption of two servings of fortified milk a day for twelve weeks significantly increased the height of preschool children by 1.40 cm, weight by 1.35 kg, body mass index by 0.96 kg/m2, mid-upper arm circumference by 0.66 cm, and psychomotor scores by 13.74% more than those children who did not consume fortified milk (p < 0.0001). Hence, fortified milk-based supplement in the diet of preschool children improved overall nutritional status, nutrient intake, and performance in psychomotor scale. This study is registered in Philippine Health Research Registry: PHRR140923-000234.

The perception of low-salt bread among preschool children and the role of educational personnel in creating a positive attitude towards reformulated food.

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to identify the possibility of unnoticed reduction in salt content of bread as a basic food in the diet of preschool children. The response of children to less salty bread and the role of teachers and teacher assistants in the introduction of novelties into children’s nutrition ware studied.MethodsUsing hedonic sensory evaluation in the case of bread, the perception of salty taste and responses of preschool children to salt reduction were observed. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis obtained from the case study group, composed of 22 preschool children and 66 teachers and teacher assistants, was studied.ResultsThe results show that a 30% salt reduction was not registered by the children, while a 50% reduction of the salt content, compared to the original recipe, though noted, was not disruptive. The perception of taste and development of good eating habits at an early age could be influenced by teachers and teacher assistants’ verbal and non-verbal communication.ConclusionSalt reduction does not significantly affect the rating of satisfaction with the tested product. Educational personnel must be aware of their decisive influence on children’s perception of new and less salty products. Such an approach could represent a basis for creating children’s eating habits, which will be of particular importance later in their lives. The findings may possibly result in an update of the national nutrition policy.

The Diet of Preschool Children in the Mediterranean Countries of the European Union: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review discusses data on the dietary intake of preschool children living in the Mediterranean countries of the European Union, including the comparison with a Mediterranean-like diet and the association with nutritional status. Specifically, data from the multinational European Identification and Prevention on Dietary and life style induced health effects in children and infants (IDEFICS) study and national studies, such as the Estudo do Padrão Alimentar e de Crescimento Infantil (EPACI) study and Geração XXI cohort in Portugal, ALimentando la SAlud del MAñana (ALSALMA) study in Spain, Étude des Déterminants pré-et postnatals précoces du développement et de la santé de l’ENfant (EDEN) cohort in France, Nutrintake 636 study in Italy, and Growth, Exercise and Nutrition Epidemiological Study in preSchoolers (GENESIS) cohort in Greece, were analyzed. In the majority of countries, young children consumed fruit and vegetables quite frequently, but also consumed sugared beverages and snacks. High energy and high protein intakes mainly from dairy products were found in the majority of countries. The majority of children also consumed excessive sodium intake. Early high prevalence of overweight and obesity was found, and both early consumption of energy-dense foods and overweight seemed to track across toddler and preschool ages. Most children living in the analyzed countries showed low adherence to a Mediterranean-like diet, which in turn was associated with being overweight/obese. Unhealthier diets were associated with lower maternal educational level and parental unemployment. Programs promoting adherence of young children to the traditional Mediterranean diet should be part of a multi-intervention strategy for the prevention and treatment of pediatric overweight and obesity.

SSB taxes and diet quality in US preschoolers: estimated changes in the 2010 Healthy Eating Index.

Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been proposed as a strategy to combat child obesity. Yet it is unclear how a tax on SSBs might influence the overall quality of diet in preschool children. Thus, we use simulated price increases and the 2010 Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) to explore the relationship between SSB taxes and diet quality in preschool children. Price and purchase data from the 2009-2012 Nielsen Homescan Panel and a two-part marginal effects model were used to estimate relative changes in purchases with a 20% increase in the price of SSBs. Demand elasticities were applied to dietary intake data for children ages 2-5 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2010 and 2011-2012) to estimate the impact of a 20% SSB tax on dietary intake and quality (HEI-2010). A 20% increase in the price of SSBs was associated with lower total caloric intake (-28 kcal d-1 , p < 0.01), caloric intake from juice drinks (-20 kcal d-1 , p < 0.01), added sugars (-4.1 servings d-1 , p = 0.03), refined grains (-0.63 servings d-1 , p < 0.01) and total meat (-0.56 servings d-1 , p < 0.01). Beneficial decreases in empty calories and refined grains were offset by unfavourable changes in fatty acid profile, total protein, vegetables and fruit, such that total HEI scores (0-100 range) were not meaningfully changed with a 20% increase in SSB price (difference: -0.85, p < 0.01). A 20% tax on SSBs could decrease caloric intake, and intakes of added sugars and SSBs, but may not improve diet quality as an isolated intervention among US preschool children.

Assessment of Usual Fruit, Vegetable and Vitamin C Intakes in a Sample of Egyptian Children: Pilot Study

The objective was to create an Egyptian database on the contributors of fruit and vegetables in the diets of preschool children and to estimate the usual daily intakes of fruits, vegetables and vitamin C. A total of 59 healthy boys and girls aged 2.5 - 6 years attending day care centers in urban Giza governorate completed the study by interviewing their mothers on 6x non-consecutive days using the 24 h dietary recall. Participants were classified according to age, gender and socioeconomic class. Prevalence of daily consumptions of fruits and vegetables amounted to 22% and 54%, respectively of the total children. The daily intakes of fruits and vegetables averaged 117.5 and 56.4 g, respectively. The consumption of different types of fruits and vegetables was unevenly distributed by different personal and social variables. Estimated daily vitamin C supply from the diet was 38 mg per child, which satisfied the respective recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of 30 mg for the first six years of life. However, the diet of 15% of the children covered less than 75% of RNI. Top fruits contributing to vitamin C were oranges, guava, watermelon, pears and grapes. Extra foods such as chipsy was consumed by 81% of the children, contributed 18% to daily vitamin C supply and also 58.6 mg sodium. A multilevel intervention strategy is warranted for promoting daily fruit and vegetable intake and healthy eating in early childhood.

Analysis of Macronutrients Intake and Body Mass Index in Preschool Children in the Western Region of the Republic of Srpska.

Childhood obesity is currently considered to be one of the most prevailing and challenging public health issues in industrialized countries and some developing countries, including the Republic of Srpska. Our objective was to determine macronutrients intake in collective diet of preschool children and to estimate the rate of obesity in this population. Samples of food intended for preschool children diet were collected in a preschool facility in the western region of the Republic of Srpska. In daily portions, the content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, water and mineral matter were determined using standard methods. The body mass index was determined on the basis of anthropometric measurements. RESULTS An average daily meal contained 17.5 g of fats, 19.1 g of proteins and 101.5 g of carbohydrates. The energy value was 676 Kcal. The analysis of the data from the menu showed that the number of consumed servings of fruits, vegetables, legumes, milk and dairy products was less than one portion per day. However, the amount of consumed meat and meat products exceeded one portion per day. Out of the total number of children, 10.0% were undernourished, 16.7% were overweight and 13.3% were obese. Daily portions in the preschool facility are not in accordance with the recommended dietary allowance for energy and carbohydrates intake, and the composition of meals is inadequate. Parents and caregivers should be encouraged to expose young children to a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and to balance food intake with the requirements.