NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN'S DIET: SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR IMPROVING HEALTHY NUTRITION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47390/ydif-y2026v2i15/n03Keywords:
primary school children, nutrition, nutritional assessment, healthy nutrition, anthropometry, cognitive development, balanced diet, child health.Abstract
This article presents the theoretical and practical aspects of the nutritional assessment of primary school children based on scientific evidence. Childhood is considered the most critical stage of physical and mental development, during which adequate and balanced nutrition largely determines health outcomes throughout later life. The study was conducted among 629 primary school students aged 8 to 10 years, residing in Namangan city and the Yangiqorgan and Mingbuloq districts of the Namangan region, Uzbekistan. Using a specially designed questionnaire, the frequency of food consumption was assessed together with anthropometric indicators based on height and body weight, and the level of cognitive development was measured using the age-appropriate Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). The relationship between these indicators was subsequently analyzed. The findings revealed a predominance of fast food, confectionery and sugar-sweetened beverages in the children's diet, while the consumption of dairy products, fish, fresh vegetables and fruits remained below recommended levels. Based on the results obtained, scientifically grounded practical recommendations were developed to improve healthy nutrition culture and address the identified shortcomings among primary school children.
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