Nutritional Value of Lunches Served in The Remote Rural Area Child-Care Centers in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Child-care centers (CCCs) typically offer lunch to preschool children. The nutritional composition of lunches served in remote rural area CCCs was compared with 40% of the recommended Thai dietary reference intake (DRI) for children aged 3 to 5 years.

Nine CCCs in Chiang Dow district, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, were selected for the study. Lunch content was evaluated by weighing each food item served to children on two consecutive days. Nutrients were determined by the INMUCAL nutritional analysis software version 3.0. Average nutrient content of the lunches was compared with 40% of the recommended Thai DRI using a one-sample t-test.

Average nutrients in lunches served in CCCs in Chiang Dow district, Chiang Mai Province, did not meet 40% of the daily DRI nutritional recommendations. The lunches were statistically deficient in energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, dietary fiber, iron, vitamin B1 and calcium. The cholesterol content was significantly higher than the daily DRI recommendations, while vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin C and iron contents were comparable with DRI recommended levels (p<0.05).

CCC lunches in remote rural areas did not meet 40% of the daily Thai DRI nutritional recommendations. Lunch menus served in CCCs must be improved to provide appropriate nutrients and ensure the healthy growth and development of preschool children.