Nutrition peculiarities of an under school age childs group from Negresti City, Romania

Abstract

Assessing the preschool child’s nutrition, appreciation of the relationship that exists between child’s nutrition and maternal educational level. Study group included 134 preschool children from” Whipster” Kindergarten No.l, in Negreşti City, Vaslui County, Romania. Mothers responded to a questionnaire on the different food weekly consumption frequency. We insisted on the use of milk and dairy products, eggs, fish, fat, meat, vegetables, sugar products, cereal products and fruits. Statistical data were processed using Pearson test. We used the different kind of food frequency questionnaire, and then we realized that nutrition correlation with maternal education. Daily consumption of milk appears in 58.9% of cases. Unfortunately, there are also cases with rare consumption of milk (once a week) (12.7%). Daily consumption is dominant regardless of maternal education (p> 0.05).Cheese is mostly consumed 2-3 times per week (40.3%). Unfortunately it also appears null variant (8.9%), which is gravely. In majority, egg consumption is 2-3 times per week (57.5%). Again, the null responses (4.5%) and those of daily consumption (3.7%) are alarming us. Especially animal fats are consumed 2-3 times per week (34.3%) or once a week (32.8%). In studies, differences appear only in beef meat consumption where mothers with secondary education level refuse to give it (p<0.05). Mothers with secondary education give daily potatoes, while in other cases, the dominant use is 2-3 times (p<0.01).Dry bean consumption is very varied, with statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Sweets are consumed mostly by 2-3 times (29.1%) and daily (38.1%). Daily consumption is dominant in mothers with secondary education, vocational, highschool and university. Those with post-high-school studies use 2-3 times, so that differences that appear are statistically significant at p <0,001. Cereal products provide more calories, so that excessive consumption is not favorable. There is consumption of 2-3 times (34.3%) or once (41%), but also daily (6.7%). The studies report that there is a small or apparently absent consumption in mothers with secondary education, while in rest, consumption is 2-3 times a week (p<0.05). Mainly, eating habits are different, but consumption exists, which is a positive thing. Conclusion: There are many problems related to infant’s nutrition. In some cases, cheese, eggs, fish, fats are absent in their diet. In other cases, some products are excessively consumed. So, cereals derivatives and sugar products are frequently consumed daily, which is a risk factor. The target of such studies are the specialists, and national priority programs should be discussed (a national program of fruits consumption would be beneficial for these children).