Introduction:
According to the American Dietetic Association, Child care facilities (CCFs) play an essential
role in the nutritional status of children as children typically spend 4-8 hours a day at a
facility. As a result, the meals should provide at least 50 – 60% of daily nutritional
requirements. Worldwide CCF feeding has been found to be nutritionally inadequate as
energy and most micronutrient requirements are not met by the meals provided, due to the
lack of nutrition knowledge of the caregivers. Studies have shown that with appropriate
training there has been improvement in nutritional standards.
Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the nutritional adequacy of menus offered; and to
determine the nutritional status of children aged two to five years old in registered child care
facilities in the Inanda area.
Methodology: CCFs (n=10) in the Inanda area were randomly selected from multiple options
to participate in the study. This study was conducted on children (boys (n= 91) and girls
(n=109)) of ages two to five years old. Trained fieldworkers and teachers assisted in
interviewing parents to complete the socio-demographic questionnaire. The researcher
gathered menus and recipes for analysis, using Foodfinder Version 3 Software. The researcher
also conducted plate-waste studies to determine consumption patterns during CCF meal times.
Anthropometric measurements for weight and height were collected. In order to establish
BMI-for-age and height-for-age, the WHO Anthro Software and WHO AnthroPlus Software
were used. Ten food handlers (FHs) were interviewed by the researcher on food preparation
and serving.
Results: Most children (79.40%) originate from extended families that are female-headed.
The highest form of education attained by most caregivers in the sample is standard 10
(47.74%) and 45.73% are unemployed. Of the 54.27% employed, 64.71% are informally
employed. Most respondents (72.87%) are living on a total household income of less than
R2500. The anthropometric results of the children show very low prevalence of severe
stunting (1.74%) and stunting (5.42%). Less than halve (34.48%) of the children were at a
possible risk of being overweight, 13.79% were overweight and 2.46% obese. The top 20
foods served in CCFs in Inanda were cereal-based staples of rice and maize meal more
frequently than meat, dairy products and fruit and vegetables – all served far less frequently.
All the CCFs did not meet the 60% of daily requirements for energy, fibre, calcium and
v
vitamin C in foods served. The CCFs have well-equipped, designated kitchens for food
storage, preparation, serving and good hygiene practices.
Conclusion: Meals served to two to five year olds in registered CCFs in the Inanda area are
nutritionally inadequate as most facilities do not contain 60% of the daily nutrient
requirements from both daily meals served.
Recommendations: CCF owners and Food handlers should receive proper training and
retraining on food safety and hygiene and menu planning. The government should increase
the subsidy to CCFs in order to meet the nutritional needs of children in order to aid in the
alleviation of under-nutrition.