title: [Nutrition in childhood--demands and reality. Outcomes of the nutrition and catering situation in Saxon day-care centers].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this research project was to compile a significant database and information about the nutritional and catering situation concerning children aged between 4 and 6 years in Saxony. The project focused on the range of foods available in day-care centers. The actual food consumption was not assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standardized interviews of the management of day-care centers were undertaken. Furthermore standardized questionnaires, which included a three-day-recall of the contents of the children's lunch boxes, were used to interview parents (n = 4082, response rate 49 %). In order to evaluate the lunch catering, the menus were analysed for 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hot lunches were delivered to the day-care centers. For the most part caterers and day-care center management did not translate the recommendations of an optimized mixed diet. Meat dishes were too often part of the menus. Salt-water fish was offered irregularly and the preparation did not fulfill the recommendations. Potatoes, fresh fruits, uncooked vegetarian food or salads were seldom offered on the menus. Regardless of the monthly household budget most children have lunch in day-care centers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The meal offerings, not only lunches, showed potential for improvement concerning a balanced energy and nutrient provision. Therefore all persons involved in providing children's meals should take on full responsibility.
authors.affiliation: Forschungsverbund Public Health Sachsen und Sachsen-Anhalt, Medizinische Fakultät der Technischen Universität Dresden, Dresden, Deutschland. Nicole.Wolfram@tu-dresden.de
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wolfram
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hillger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jüttler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benterbusch
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kirch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000592:standards*; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005396:Fish Products; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D005638:Fruit; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008461:Meat Products; D008612:Menu Planning / Q000592:standards; D010290:Parents; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables