Assessment of Macronutrient Content in Lunch Meals of Some Selected Preschools in the Cape Coast Metropolis of the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

The study was to assess the macronutrient content in lunch meals of some selected preschools in the Cape Coast Metropolis of the Central Region of Ghana and determine whether these macronutrient content meet the World Health Organization recommended daily intake for children. The study considered the meal pattern in the selected schools, whether the macronutrient content of the meals served meet the WHO RDI for children’s lunch meals and how the meals is were funded. The research design for the study was a descriptive survey. The target population for the study was made up of all private pre-schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis which provide lunch meal for the children and the simple random sampling technique was used in the selection of respondents.  To obtain data, questionnaires, and laboratory tests of food samples were used. The data collected in this study was checked, coded and statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17.0.  It was found that all the dishes served to the children belonged to the group of cereals, grains and starchy root. The findings indicated that the protein, carbohydrate, and fibre contents of the meals did not meet the recommended intake by WHO.

Keywords: macronutrient, Recommended Daily Intake (RDI), lunch meals, nutrients.