Formulation of Satisfactory Meal for Sudanese Children (3-5 years) in Wad Medani Greater Locality, Gezira State, Sudan

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A knowledge of chemical composition of food is the first essential in the quantitative study of human nutrition and in the dietary treatment of disease. One of the reasons for studying nutrition is to learn how to select meal that will enable to achieve and maintain good health. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to conduct approximate analysis for some types of food so as to  formulate adequate  meals for Sudanese children.  MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of 300 children 3-5 years of age from Wad Medani locality, Gezira State, Sudan, were surveyed. The study was conducted during period from July 2014 to February 2015. Dietary data and eating habits of children were obtained by interviewing mothers about their children’s diet using pre-tested questionnaires. Analysis of the main food was carried out according to the protocols of AACC (1980) and AOAC (1975, 1984). RESULTS: The results showed that, all samples of food are relatively high in carbohydrate and low in protein and  fat content. Bearing in mind that all these types of stuff do not give a balanced diet therefore, two adequate meals were suggested. CONCLUSION:  It is important to add more ingredients to some of our traditional foods, to improve the nutritional values.