Authors : Prajakta Naware & Prajakta Nande
Page Nos : 488- 497
Description :
It has been observed from last few years the vital role of school lunch provision. Therefore, the present study was an attempt to focus on nutritional quality of school lunch from government schools. Total 150 girls (50 from each age group of 10 yrs, 11 yrs and 12 yrs) having school lunch were randomly selected from purposively chosen government schools. The energy value for the mid day meal provided to girls ranged from 150 to 419 kcal, whereas carbohydrate, protein & fat content was found to be ranged between 28.3 to 62.5 g, 5.0 to 13.75 g & 0.75 to 12.77 g, respectively. The actual mean consumption of carbohydrates through school lunch was on lower side (41.96 to 48 33 g). Mean protein intake of girls through school lunch was ranged between 8.96±1.30 to 12.02±1.79 g/day. Mean fat intake by girls aged 10+, 11+ & 12+ yrs from school lunch was found as 10.20±1.72, 9.76±1.76 & 6.34±1.96 g, respectively. Mean height of girls aged 10 yrs, 11 yrs and 12 yrs was found out to be 127.88±7.42, 133.64±7.33 and 142.86±5.58 cm, respectively whereas men body weight was recorded as 23.87±4.83, 26.30±4.63 and 31.88±4.44, respectively for 10+, 11+ and 12+ yrs girls. The findings of this study suggest that school lunch meal should be nutritionally complete by bringing variety in meals & providing high quality food. If the gap between the school meal and actual consumption is bridged it will not only change the picture of today’s girls but also future mothers.
