ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was an assessment of nutrition quality of adolescents living in boarding schools at the province of Bałystok. The investigations were carried out in the range of  nutritional value and contamination level o f lead, cadmium, mercury, copper and zinc in daily food rations given to young people. The nutrition quality was determinated by calculating the energy and nutritional components during ten days (decade), using computer programm „Menu”. Chemical analysis were made on individual meals, which create daily food ration per estimated day. All the studies (in 1997 and 1998 year) were done according to the methods referred in chapter on this article „Material and methods of researchs”. It was found, (during two years study) that nutrition of young people in boarding schools devites from recommended dietary allowances. High products consumption from grups: „meat and its products”, „butter” and „other fats”, caused too high energy contribution taken from dietary fats of whole daily energy and high iron intake. The percent proportion from energy supplied from proteins was maintained in recommended value. The consumption deficit in grups „milk and dairy products”, „vegetables and fruit rich in vitamin С reflected in the low percent of realization of the requirements for calcium and vitamin C. Exceedation of permissible tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of cadmium and mercury wasn’t stated, (in 1997 year) while 26% of estimated in 1997 year, and 14% in 1998 diets were above PTWI for lead. Daily intake of copper and zinc was lower than maximal tolerable daily intake (MTDI). Some assessed (during 1997 and 1998 year) rations didn’t covere the requirements for zinc, while in 81% estimated diets in 1997 and 76% in 1998, the recomended intake level of copper was exceeded. The contents of sodium chloride in daily food rations analyzed in 1997 year ranged from 13.8 g to 27.2 g and the highest source of dietary salt were dinner meals (6.9 g - 13.2 g), analogous in current year - from 10.8 g to 38.3 g, with contents of salt in dinner meals - 5.7 g to 14.4 g. The investigations from 1997 and 1998 year prove, that nutrition of adolescent in boarding schools isn’t correct according to rational diet principles. There is the need of giving systematic training for people who are planing and realising nutrition in boarding schools, and taking up other activity mobilizating personnel for higher engagement in young people nutrition problem.