PROXIMATEANDMINERALS QUALITIES OF MEALS SERVED AS LUNCH IN SELECTED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ILARO

Abstract

Hidden hunger is a form of malnutrition caused by a deficiency of vital micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements) in the body. These micronutrients are essential to the mental and physical development of both children and adults. This study evaluates the quality of meal served as school lunch in selected primary schools in Ilaro,Materials used for the collection of samples from the schools, are disposable plate with cover and sellotape. The meals were collected to determine the proximate and mineral contents of foods. The result of theproximate composition of school meal served in public school PUS day1 (Beans), PUS day2 (Rice and beans with fish) and PUS day3(white rice and vegetable soup and egg) revealed that moisture content of Bean, Rice and Bean + Fish and White Rice + Vegetable soup and Egg, ranged from (59.46±3.56 to70.63±3.68 ), crude protein ranged from (10.11±1.25 to 18.38± 1.89), carbohydrate (3.78±0.54to 8.80 ± 2.17), crude fiber (0.42±2.0.02 to 5.69 ± 0.25), crude fat (5.23±1.36 to 9.15 ± 1.35) ash content ranged from(1.06 ±0.02 to 2.91±0.01) respectively. While that of Private school PRS day1 ( Rice + spaghetti + meat) and PRS day2 (Jollof rice+fish) revealed that Moisture Content ranged from (64.35± 2.00 to 65.67±0.03) , Crude protein (9.06,± o.13to11.11 ±0.26), Carbohydrate(6.99,± 1.50 to 15.79 ±0.10), Crude Fiber(1.84,± 0.01 to 4.62 ±1.23), Crude Fat(6.36± 0.09 to11.12 ±0.58) and Ash Content ranged from (1.81,± 0.05 to 1.28 ± 0.01)S respectively. The result of mineral analysis of the school meal in private school (PRS day1 and day2) revealed that Vitamin A contents ranged from (88.56± 2.56 to 181.34 ± 3.66), Calcium (14.11 ± 1.53 to18.76 ± 1.62), Zinc (2.14 ± 005 t0 2.62± 0.07) and Iron (1.2± 0.01 to 1.62 ±0.01) respectively while that of Public school (PUS day1, day2 and day3) reveals that Vitamin A content ranged from( 124.34 ± 2.88 to 211.86 ±4.06), Calcium (6.36 ± 1.20 to 12.81 ±1.50,) Zinc( 1.16 ± 0.01 to 2.81 ± 0.09) and Iron (2.16 ± 0.05 to 12.12 ±1.50) respectively. The mineral content of meal served in both Public (PUS) and Private (PRS) Schools are very low in Vitamin A, and Calcium while the meal served in PUS day 1 to day 3 are high in zinc and iron respectively. However, most of the meal served in public is higher than that of Private School in micronutrients.In conclusion, the quality of meal served as school lunch in the selected primary school in Ilaro shown in this study were moderate sources of Protein, high Moisture Content, Fat and Zinc and low sources of essential macro and micro nutrients.