A Web-Based Thai School Lunch Program Promotes Children's Heights: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural Schools.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nutrition has an impact on development and linear growth. However, a few studies examine the connections between children's age-standardized height and their nutritional status and diet quality. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to find a relationship between dietary consumption and height for age among school students under a web-based Thai school lunch program. METHODS: Anthropometric data and nutrient consumption were obtained from 24-hour records. Nutrient consumption was calculated using Inmucal. The parent and custodian's data were from the electronic health records. RESULTS: Children's heights were not correlated with parents' heights (P<0.720). Moreover, children with low height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) had significantly lower intakes of minerals (iron, magnesium, and selenium) and vitamins (B6, B12, C, and E). On the other hand, magnesium, selenium, vitamin B12, and vitamin E intakes of the children with normal HAZ were higher than their custodians. CONCLUSION: The Thai school lunch program effectively maintains the normal HAZ of children. Nutritional education in the community is recommended.