Nutritional Habits of Preschool Children

Abstract

Introduction. Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining good health and provides the basis for proper growth and development of children and adolescents. Insufficient physical activity and inadequate nutrition are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Aim. The aim of this research paper was to examine the nutritional habits of preschool children. Methods. The study was conducted in April 2018 and included a survey of kindergarten children and their parents. A questionnaire consisting of 24 questions was created for the purposes of the study. The survey was conducted entirely anonymously and voluntarily. Of the 100 respondents included in the study, 52% (52) were boys and 48% (48) were girls. The average age of the respondents was 5.12 years. Results. Out of a total of 100 children, 98% (98) have a hot meal every day, while 2% (2) do not. Cereals and cereal products are consumed by 97% of children, while 3% stated that they do not consume cereals. As with cereals, 97% of children use milk and dairy products, while only 3% do not consume them. 29 (76%) boys have normal body weight. Four (5%) were malnourished and 3 (8%) boys were overweight. 30 (70%) girls have normal body weight, 3 (7%) are malnourished, and one (2%) girl is overweight. 8 (21%) girls were obese. Conclusion. According to the obtained research results, it can be concluded that most of the examined children ate properly and had normal body weight. It is a worrying fact that most of the children consume sweets/snacks on a daily basis, while on the other hand a large number of surveyed children do not consume vegetables and fruits on a daily basis. Nurses in preschools face the challenging task of integrating their professional knowledge into the educational process.