Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1976

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Home Economics

Abstract

Sixty Brookings, South Dakota students in three schools participated in a group interview, week-long nutrition study designed to determine the pattern and quantity of their dietary intakes. The nutritional adequacies of the diets were determined. Comparisons were made between the student’s dietaries in the different schools and days of the week, family incomes, and levels of mother’s education. Special attention was given to lunch patterns and consumption of vitamins A and C. Using the recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) as a standard for comparison, less than 25 percent of the students were below the standard for protein, riboflavin, calcium and vitamin C; however 45-85 percent of the students were substandard for iron, vitamin A, niacin, thiamine and calories. With the exception of calcium no difference was found in the students’ dietaries among schools. The weekend eating habits were significantly poorer than the schoolday habits. Among the schoolday lunches the Type A school lunch was the highest in nutrition content and the bag lunch was lowest. The school lunch provided more than the RDA standard for lunch but the children did not eat enough of what was served. Extreme variability in the consumption of vitamins A and C appeared to make them problem nutrients for some subjects n this study. These two vitamins were not associated with income or mother’s level of education. Population means were not as satisfactory in assessing dietary sufficiency as was the dietary of the individual. Only one individual met the RDA standard for all nutrients and calories. The high incidence of thiamine insufficiency suggests a potential nutritional threat not uncovered in similar studies elsewhere.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

School children -- Food

Children -- Nutrition

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

136

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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