OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the adequacy of preschool children's dietary micronutrient intake at home and in public and private kindergartens. METHODS: This cross-sectional study done in 2007 included 362 preschool children aged 2-6 years from Caxias do Sul (RS), Brazil. Food intake at school was assessed by the individual direct weighing method and at home by food records kept by the parents or caregivers. Dietary intakes of calcium, iron, folate, vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc were calculated according to meal location and type of school. RESULTS: Dietary iron, folate and vitamin C intakes were higher in kindergartens and dietary intakes of calcium, vitamin A and zinc were higher at home. Dietary intakes of iron (p=0.03), folate (p=0.03), vitamin A (p<0.01) and vitamin C (p<0.01) were significantly higher in private kindergartens and dietary intakes of calcium (p<0.01) and zinc (p<0.01) were significantly higher in public kindergartens. Intakes of iron, folate, vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc were adequate but only 67.4% of the children were ingesting enough calcium. CONCLUSION: Dietary intakes of calcium, vitamin A and zinc were higher at home even though the children remained at school during most of the day. The daily micronutrient intakes of children from private and public kindergartens were not significantly different despite the menu differences.
Food consumption; Child day care centers; Micronutrients; Child, preschool
