Children's nutrient intake at preschool and at home

A preschool-based dietary survey, using 7-d records, was carried out in a s uburb of Stockholm. The aim was to assess the intake of food and the qualit y of the diet of preschool children aged 3-5 y at preschool and at home, an d to compare the dietary intake with the Swedish dietary recommendations fo r preschool, children. The respective mean intakes of protein, fat, carbohy drates and sucrose, expressed as a percentage of total energy intake were 1 4, 38, 50 and 9 at preschool, and at home 14, 36, 52 and 12 on weekdays, 14 , 34, 55 and 16 on weekend days. The mean intakes of seven vitamins and min erals were low only for selenium as compared with the recommended level. No differences were found in nutrient density between diet at preschool and d iet at home, with the exception of dietary fibre (higher at preschool). On weekdays there was a significantly higher nutrient density for calcium, zin c, selenium, vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C and dietary fibre compared wi th weekend days. Conclusion: The average intakes of energy and; nutrients per meal at presch ool compared:with-the recommended levels for children aged 4-6 y were low f or all meals:(breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack). This, however, was com pensated for by home meals.