NUTRITION HABITS AND ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS OF SLOVAK CHILDREN

The aim of the study was to collect and analyse information on dietary patterns, to find out and assess anthropometric measurements and evaluate differences between age groups among with 204 schoolchildren (110 girls and 94 boys), aged 9 to 14 years, from Slovak city Nitra (average age 11.40 +/- 1.62 years). Data were compared between two age groups: schoolchildren aged 9 to 11 years (52.45 % of pupils) and 12 to 14 years (47.55 % of pupils). Body fat content was in the younger group 29.28 +/- 7.19 % (11.91 +/- 5.10 kg) and in the older age group 22.04 +/- 6.55 % (11.84 +/- 5.15 kg). 18.69 % of younger and 30.93 % of older children do not eat breakfast regularly (p < 0.05) and even 14.02 % of younger group and 23.71 % of older group do not eat breakfast at all. The most frequently eaten meat by those children is poultry; just small share of participants (14.95 % and 16.49 %) is consumed fish almost every week. Less than once a week or never drink milk 17.75 % of younger and 14.44 % of older children. Markedly negative founding is fairly deficient (less than once a week) of fruit intake in 5.61 % and 10.31 % of children; as well as vegetable consumption in 14.02 % and 21.65 %; further, legumes consumption (less than twice a month) in 27.10 % and 36.08 % of children.