Philippine E-Journals

Nutritional Quality of School Canteen Meals Consumed by the Secondary School Children

Floricon V. Encabo | Michelle L. Ventanilla

Discipline: Health

 

Abstract:

The foods offered in school canteens have a vital role in ensuring children’s consumption of nutritionally balanced foods. It is significant that menu offerings meet the nutritional standards for the school children. This study evaluated the nutritional quality of school canteen meals consumed by the secondary School children of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Calamba City, Philippines based on the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI). The research methods used survey on canteen concessionaires’ menu and lunch meal intake of 200 selected secondary schoolchildren, key informant interview, and observation. One-tailed t-test was used to determine if the lunch meal intakes statistically met the RENI. Results revealed that few concessionaires offered fruits, vegetables, and fish. Few schoolchildren consumed fruits, vegetables, and fish. In terms of nutrient intake, only mean calcium intake met the RENI. It is concluded that the menu offerings in the canteen were not sufficient to meet all the RENI for adolescents. Limited variety of lunch meals in the canteen resulted in limited intake of essential nutrients. As recommendations, the Colegio has to formulate policies on monitoring the sale of nutritious foods at the canteen. The canteen concessionaires have to carry out product positioning and suitable recipe modification.