Abstract:
Introduction. Wholesome nutrition is one of the most important factors in shaping a
person's somatic and mental health. Eating habits are formed in childhood and consolidated in
adulthood. They can also have an impact on the development of future chronic diseases, such
as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the work is
to evaluate the amino acid score of the main food products of children of primary school age.
Material and methods. The research was carried out during 2016 - 2021. Food menus
for 1000 of children aged 6-9 years old living in the South of Ukraine (cities Odessa and
Mykolaiv, suburban villages and villages far from the regional centres). The study was carried
out during the spring-summer (May-June) and autumn-winter (November-December). Field
studies of the amino acid content in 24 products, which were included in the first two deciles
in terms of frequency of consumption, were also conducted. The results. The distribution of
food products was marked by a certain constancy and depended little on the season of the
year. Most foods are a major source of carbohydrates. Only 8 out of 24 products were a source of protein and essential amino acids. The overall consumption of protein-rich foods by
younger schoolchildren was low. Conclusion. Children 6-10 years old should consume
protein in the amount of 0.95 g/kg/day. Our research shows that even such an understated
standard of need may not be fulfilled under the current state of affairs. The main sources of
protein for children of primary school age in Southern Ukraine are milk, cheese, chicken,
river fish and legumes. Dairy products, eggs and chicken have the highest value in terms of
amino acid content, and pork has the lowest value. Legumes have a high amino acid content,
but they are inferior to products of animal origin.
