School Feeding in the Republic of Belarus

Abstract

Introduction: The relevance of providing healthy nutrition for school-age children, a significant coverage of students with school meals, and an increase in the proportion of children requiring correction of the diet have determined the objective of the study to evaluate school feeding and to substantiate further measures for its improvement. Materials and methods: Twenty-six regulations on school meals adopted from the year 2000 to the present have been analyzed. The study of the eating schedule and the frequency of consumption of certain foodstuffs was carried out based on a survey of 1,975 parents and schoolchildren in grades 5 to 11. The energy value, the content of vitamins and minerals in school breakfasts and home meals of 1,168 fifth graders from the city of Minsk were estimated. Results: The findings show that regulations on school meals have been developed in the republic; dietary nutrition is organized at schools, the material and technical base of school kitchens is constantly being improved, and children are being taught healthy eating skills. At the same time, the analysis of actual nutrition at school and at home indicates malnutrition causing an imbalance in the dietary intake of macro- and micronutrients. Discussion: An effective model of school feeding has been created in the Republic of Belarus. Yet, the current system cannot fully ensure a balanced diet for children. It is therefore important to continue personnel training, monitoring of school meals using modern information technologies, and awareness raising on healthy eating among schoolchildren.