Assessment of Macronutrients Intake of Private and Public School Children. A Comparative Study

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the macronutrients intake of public and private school children in Lahore and to compare malnutrition between children was from  Private schools with those that children was from public schools.

Material and Method: The study sample included 80 children aged 7-13 years, 40 students from public school and 40 students from private school in Johar Town Lahore. The children were divided into two groups according to type of education sector and recorded their dietary intake by using FFQ and Questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Minitab 19 statistical software.  Comparisons were analyzed for the intake of macronutrient using paired sample t-test an independent sample t-test.

Results: The public school children had a lower intake of weekly consumption of Meat, butter, grains, milk and yogurt and the mean score of meat, grain, milk and yogurt was (0.825), ( 0.900),  (2.08), (1.250)  respectively and In private school student had a higher intake of weekly consumption of Meat, grains, milk and yogurt and the mean score of meat, butter, grain, milk and yogurt was (1.40), (2.40), (2.85), (1.725) respectively . The statistical analysis showed that these variables are highly significant and have strong relation with macronutrient deficiencies in children as level of significance was (Total consumption of meat (P=0.007). Total consumption of Grains (P=0.040), Dairy consumption (P=0.005), Total consumption of butter (P=0.005), Knowledge about healthy foods (P=0.017) and Daily eating lunch (P=0.033)).

Conclusion: Interpretation of the statistical analysis indicates that differences for consumption of macronutrients sources exist between the group the result of this study indicate that the public school children consume less fats, protein and carbohydrates as compared to private school children.