Objective To make a nutrition assessment on lunch provided by private primary schools for migrant workers' children in a district of Shanghai and to provide evidence for developing a reasonable lunch plan.
Methods Using weighing method and accounting method, a lunch nutrition survey in 10 schools serving migrant children was carried out for consecutive five days in one week.
Results The intakes of energy (4 397.8& #177;1 030.9)kJ, protein (35.7& #177;10.6)g, carbohydrate (124.2& #177;31.8)g, iron (6.8& #177;2.6)mg, and Vitamin C (35.5& #177;27.6)mg in the lunch samples of these schools were all higher than the recommended intake levels. However, the intakes of calcium (173.4& #177;134.5)mg, zinc (5.2& #177;1.5)mg, Vitamin A (162.0& #177;151.9)μg, and Vitamin B2 (0.34& #177;0.14)mg did not reach the recommended intake levels. The proportions of three main energy nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, and fats) were inappropriate, specifically, 14.45%, 42.32%, and 43.23% respectively for the first dietary pattern, 15.65%, 21.96%, and 62.39% for the second dietary pattern, and 12.75%, 31.13%, and 56.12% for the third dietary pattern.
Conclusion The lunch plans in the primary schools serving migrant children have issues in inadequate nutrients intake due to inappropriate proportions among nutrients. These schools should increase food variety to improve nutritional quality of the lunch plans.
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