Do Preschools Offer Healthy Beverages to Children? A Nationwide Study in Poland
Background: Children’s beverage consumption patterns have received increased attention in light of the obesity epidemic in this group. In day care centers (DCCs), children spend up to 10 h a day, and typically consume half to three quarters of their daily food intake. The purpose of the study was to...
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doaj-b50a221329494af5b734e729a1914d7d2020-11-24T21:45:45ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432017-10-01911116710.3390/nu9111167nu9111167Do Preschools Offer Healthy Beverages to Children? A Nationwide Study in PolandJoanna Myszkowska-Ryciak0Anna Harton1Department of Dietetics, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS), 159C Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Dietetics, Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS), 159C Nowoursynowska Str., 02-776 Warsaw, PolandBackground: Children’s beverage consumption patterns have received increased attention in light of the obesity epidemic in this group. In day care centers (DCCs), children spend up to 10 h a day, and typically consume half to three quarters of their daily food intake. The purpose of the study was to investigate what beverages are typically served to children in preschools in Poland, and to evaluate the practices associated with adding sugar and other sweetening agents to beverages. Methods: Direct interviews with preschools staff were conducted with a questionnaire regarding offered beverages and adding sugar and other sweetening agents. The menu of 10 consecutive days and inventory reports were analyzed to verify information. Results: A total of 720 preschools were included in the study. Cocoa and milk coffee substitute were served in 95% of preschools, followed by compote (92%), tea (84%), fruit/herbal tea (73%) and water (69%). Water was the only beverage available between meals (93% DCCs). 86% of preschools added sugar to tea/cocoa/coffee substitute drinks, and 74% to compote. Conclusions: In the majority of preschools, beverages which are not recommended were offered. Such an assortment of beverages and common practice of sweetening can increase the amount of added sugar in a children diet. Nutrition education and legal regulations concerning the assortment of beverages served in preschools are urgently needed.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/11/1167preschoolnutrition recommendationbeveragessugarsdietary preventionpreschool children |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak Anna Harton |
spellingShingle |
Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak Anna Harton Do Preschools Offer Healthy Beverages to Children? A Nationwide Study in Poland Nutrients preschool nutrition recommendation beverages sugars dietary prevention preschool children |
author_facet |
Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak Anna Harton |
author_sort |
Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak |
title |
Do Preschools Offer Healthy Beverages to Children? A Nationwide Study in Poland |
title_short |
Do Preschools Offer Healthy Beverages to Children? A Nationwide Study in Poland |
title_full |
Do Preschools Offer Healthy Beverages to Children? A Nationwide Study in Poland |
title_fullStr |
Do Preschools Offer Healthy Beverages to Children? A Nationwide Study in Poland |
title_full_unstemmed |
Do Preschools Offer Healthy Beverages to Children? A Nationwide Study in Poland |
title_sort |
do preschools offer healthy beverages to children? a nationwide study in poland |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Nutrients |
issn |
2072-6643 |
publishDate |
2017-10-01 |
description |
Background: Children’s beverage consumption patterns have received increased attention in light of the obesity epidemic in this group. In day care centers (DCCs), children spend up to 10 h a day, and typically consume half to three quarters of their daily food intake. The purpose of the study was to investigate what beverages are typically served to children in preschools in Poland, and to evaluate the practices associated with adding sugar and other sweetening agents to beverages. Methods: Direct interviews with preschools staff were conducted with a questionnaire regarding offered beverages and adding sugar and other sweetening agents. The menu of 10 consecutive days and inventory reports were analyzed to verify information. Results: A total of 720 preschools were included in the study. Cocoa and milk coffee substitute were served in 95% of preschools, followed by compote (92%), tea (84%), fruit/herbal tea (73%) and water (69%). Water was the only beverage available between meals (93% DCCs). 86% of preschools added sugar to tea/cocoa/coffee substitute drinks, and 74% to compote. Conclusions: In the majority of preschools, beverages which are not recommended were offered. Such an assortment of beverages and common practice of sweetening can increase the amount of added sugar in a children diet. Nutrition education and legal regulations concerning the assortment of beverages served in preschools are urgently needed. |
topic |
preschool nutrition recommendation beverages sugars dietary prevention preschool children |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/9/11/1167 |
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AT joannamyszkowskaryciak dopreschoolsofferhealthybeveragestochildrenanationwidestudyinpoland AT annaharton dopreschoolsofferhealthybeveragestochildrenanationwidestudyinpoland |
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