Peer-Reviewed / Original (Original) received: 20.07.2023; Revision accepted: 13.12.2023
Introduction
According to current data, 13.2 % of girls and 8.3 % of boys aged 3–6 years are overweight or obese in Germany [1]. The prevention of overweight and obesity is of great importance in childhood, as they have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, lipid metabolism disorders and glucose metabolism disorders compared to normal-weight children at the same age [2]. In addition to the physical risk factors, the risk of stigmatization and bullying also increases [3].
As part of mass catering, daycare centre catering is becoming increasingly important in children’s diets. Currently, almost three million children in Germany eat lunch at daycare centres [4]. In addition to catering, it is also important to understand the children’s needs. At daycare centres, children learn more about how to handle food and meals, they get in contact with new foods and establish new eating habits. These can have both positive and negative effects on nutrition [5]. The DGE quality standard for meals in daycare centres provides a good basis for designing meals that are based on nutritional requirements, health-promoting and sustainable [6]. The VeKiTa study from 2016 provides the most up-to-date insight into the catering situation in daycare centres [7]. Among other things, this study recorded the average macronutrients contained in each lunch meal offered. …
