Abstract
This study was undertaken on 94 female students at a dietetic college to evaluate the nutrient intake from daily lunch and to explain a role of training sessions of school lunch planning. The nutrient intake and energy expenditure over a 3-day period were surveyed. School lunch was provided 10-times to each subject, and a questionnaire survey was made on the leftovers from each meal and the food eaten.
The subjects were classified into the three groups on the basis of BMI: lean (15.2%), normal (83.0%) and obese (2.1%). The mean daily energy intake was 82% of the mean daily energy expenditure. The food intake was lower by the lean group than by the normal and obese groups. The daily nutrient intake at lunch by the female students ranged from 49.3% to 76.9% of the recommended dietary allowance. 74.4% of the female students chose lunch without a main dish.
The proportions of lunch eaten on the 10 surveyed occasions in the categories of the whole meal, staple food only, main dishes and side dishes were 65.8%, 73.5%, 87.2% and 84.4%, respectively. A significant amount of leftovers were apparent on every occasion.
No relationship was apparent between the menu style (Japanese, Western and Chinese) and the nutrient level, leftovers and taste of the school lunches. The reasons quoted for the leftovers were too much staple food and poor taste of the side dishes.
Those subjects who did not eat breakfast tended to leave their lunch.
It is suggested that training sessions for school lunch planning would provide a good opportunity for dietetic college students to learn how to select appropriate nutrients for their own good health.
