Nutritional Assessment of Children in Social Care institutions

Abstract

Background: Nutritional Problems are prevalent among children living within institution base care (IBC), where they lack parental care which can lead to failure to achieve the target of take care of them perfectly. Aim of work: Evaluation the nutritional statue of the children in the social care institutions to detect weaknesses to provide recommendations to develop the food service and the quality of
environment generally. Thus, improving their overall health to qualify them as productive youth in society. Subjects and Methods: Across-Sectional Analytical study was conducted through face to face interview with the researcher; 192 institutionalized child in Alexandria, Giza, Helwan, 6 October and Tanta social care institutions; 24- Hour Recall questionnaire was used to evaluate the actual daily intake of nutrients and in body device was used with a large percentage of children to assess the anthropometric measurements accurately in addition to the WHO growth chart height, weight and BMI for age. Results: The Energy in the food of the studied children and the other macronutrients was almost equal to DRI as the energy was (99.7 %) in girls`, (111 %) in boys`. Protein was (109.5 %) in girls, (139,9) in boys`.Fats was near to DRI as it was in girls about (92 %)and in Boys (109 %). Carbohydrates was (99%), in girls and (106 %) in boys. But fiber and water was less than the DRI especially the wter in boys` food as it was in boys` (79.2 %) but in girls (95.3 %). The fiber was low in both gender. vitamin A was high in boys` food but low in girls` as it was (234%), (51.4%) respectively and the copper was
very low in both gender (2) % from DRI. the crystals which was common in boys` urine was calcium (52.4 ) but uric was (36.9 )% in contrast to girls whose the common crystals was uric acid crystals (55)% and the calcium crystal was (25)% , also the boys had indigestive food ( starch , fats , muscle fibers , vegetables ) (66.7)%, (86.9), (69)%, (54.8) % respectively the ova was in (25)% and larva (4.8) % of boys. Conclusion: The children in these institutions had an adequate food in amount but it lack from fiber and some minerals and vitamins as copper, magnesium and vitamin A specially in girls. they also need to qualify the sorts of food to meet their need from all nutrients.