Nutrient intake adequacy in schoolchildren from a Mediterranean area (southern Spain). Influence of the use of the school canteen.

The aim of the present study was to compare dietary adequacy in 521 schoolchildren in Granada (Spain) with national recommendations and to determine possible differences regarding gender or the use of the school canteen. A food record was used for four consecutive days to evaluate the intake of nutrients and foods. With regard to boys' and girls' intake of the main groups of foods, we observed a tendency for the boys to consume greater quantities of dairy products, cereals, potatoes, and fruit, although the differences were not statistically significant. The children who lunched at school consumed fish, eggs, dairy products, vegetables, and cereals more frequently than those who did so at home. The mean daily intake of energy and nutrients indicates that the studied population exceeded the recommended limits in the proportion of energy derived from protein and fat, while carbohydrate intake was slightly deficient. The children who lunched at school showed a more favorable profile for energy and nutrient intake, with a significantly higher intake of energy, carbohydrates, total fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), vitamins B, and E, and calcium, with respect to the children who had lunch at home.