BACKGROUND: It is well known that high-energy diet, rich in fat and @entity3363 , increases the risk of @entity28 . Preschool age is an important period to acquire the eating habits continued later in adulthood. Therefore, evaluation of @entity1 nutrition in kindergartens is especially important in the prevention of future @entity28 . OBJECTIVES: To determine the energy value and energy density of meals consumed by @entity1 in kindergartens in @entity22412 (Serbia), including the different types of food, in respect to a probable risk of @entity28 . MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study had been conducted in the years 1998-2012. Three-hundred samples of the meals were gathered and analysed, and the amount of selected food groups used to prepare the meals in kindergartens was calculated (weight, protein, fat and @entity1735 content) in the accredited laboratory of the Public Health Institute in @entity22412 according to the ISO 17025 recommendation. RESULTS: The mean energy value of meals was 978.9 kcal (range: 810 - 1144 kcal). The energy density was low (mean: 1.02 kcal/g, range: 0.92 - 1.42 kcal/g) and decreased over the years, what would imply a reduction in the risk of @entity28 . The intake of same high-energy food products, such as fats and oils as well as sweets (13.9% and 7.3%, respectively) was higher compared to low-energy foods (fruits - 5.2% and vegetables - 10.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that @entity1 in kindergarten in @entity22412 , in general, were properly nourished in total energy content. The energy value and energy density of the meals consumed did not pose a risk of developing @entity28 . However, the distribution of food groups differentiated by the energy density level was unfavourable; the deficit of low-energy foods was observed. Planning the @entity1 nutrition in kindergartens, with laboratory control of meals, may be an effective strategy in adequate energy intake and prevention of @entity28 . Providing the higher amount of low-energy foods (fruits and vegetables) in meals in kindergartens is recommended.

Energy and nutritional value of the meals in kindergartens in XXXX (Serbia).

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children', 'child'] @entity28 :: ('MESH:D009765', 'Disease') :: ['obesity'] @entity1735 :: ('CHEBI:16646', 'Chemical') :: ['carbohydrate'] @entity22412 :: ('CHEBI:53204', 'Chemical') :: ['Nis'] @entity3363 :: ('MESH:D002241', 'Chemical') :: ['carbohydrates']
@entity22412 :: (CHEBI:53204,Chemical) :: ['Nis']
