Abstract:

Objective To analyze the dietary nutrition status of pre-school children in suburb of Chongqing and to provide scientific basis for further nutrition intervention. Methods Three of seven kindergartens in Banan district of Chongqing were randomly selected to conduct the dietary questionnaire survey which covered general information on health, illness, and the dietary intakes of children for three consecutive days. Totally 492 valid questionnaires were returned. Results The ratios of actual intakes of staple foods, fruits and nuts, vegetables, eggs, fish and shrimp, poultry meat, beans and soy products, and milk and dairy products per child per day and low limits of those of recommended intakes were 118.1%, 135.0%, 61.7%, 77.8%, 41.7%, 281.9%, 34.7%, and 119.2%, respectively. The ratios of actual intakes of daily energy, protein, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and zinc per child per day and those of recommended intakes were 100.8%, 120.2%, 121.2%, 65.7%, 126.8%, and 75.0%, respectively. Conclusion The intakes of staple foods, fruit, and milk of children from kindergartens in suburb of Chongqing were reasonable, while the intakes of vegetables, fish and shrimp, eggs, and beans were inadequate, and the intakes of poultry meat were excessive. Intakes of nutrients were high or low except the energy and thiamin. Propaganda and education of scientific and reasonable dietary nutrition intervention for parents should be enhanced.

Key words: pre-school children, dietary survey, dietary assessment