Ryan Paul Borsigue | Nino Galindo | John Carlo Postrado
This research determined and evaluated the nutritional value of food in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Calamba City, Laguna by means of the Body Mass Index of the inmates and the frequency and quantity of food intake in order to create an improved menu plan for the institution. Using descriptive research design, the study treated the quantitative data by using the statistical tools of percentage and weighted mean and the qualitative data by using the deductive approach. The research had four variables: body mass index, food intake vs. RENI, menu plan, and problems encountered by the Management during the food preparation. The result showed that 55% of the inmates in the study were underweight; the frequency of their food intake was 2-3 times a day. Also, the menu plan prepared for the institution was deficient to reach the caloric requirement for a whole day, which means that the meal per day did not meet the 500- caloric requirement a meal must have. The problems encountered by the management were: excess food that must be disposed in order to avoid contamination and spoilage; and, the given standard meal can affect the inmates’ health. Based on the results of the study, the researchers made a well-planned and calculated menu guide that will be suggested to the institution for use.