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World Journal of Advance Healthcare Research (WJAHR)Honored the authors with best paper award, monthly based on the innovation of research work. Best paper will be selected by our expert panel.
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Abstract
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION FEASIBILITY OF COST-EFFECTIVE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
Dr. Mahnaz Nasir Khana, Hira Ziab and Noor-e-Huma*
ABSTRACT
School plays an important role in determining the food choices of the students besides mental and cognitive development. Snacks available at the school premises effect the nutritional status of the children; consumption of fast food is increasing these days in the urban areas due to availability at the school premises that is also posing severe effects on the health of students. The aim of this study was to provide cost effective school lunch to the students within their limited resources. The study also helped them in determining healthy food choices virtually by providing them the school lunch that meet their 1/3rd of the macro-nutrient requirements. The study focused on development of sustainable business model that can be easily implemented in any of the school. Healthy lunch was developed on the basis of their daily money consumed at school; on an average Rs. 75/- to Rs. 100/- were spent on snacking weekly by the students and the lunch was developed within this range. In the second phase the regular lunch available at school was converted to a cyclic menu and its acceptance was checked to further modify the lunch to make it healthy. Students were not very satisfied with the lunch, almost 48% students liked the lunch but there were complaints for diarrhea and abdominal pain. The lunch was than modified and was standardized by the expert panel for sensory evaluation. Students were contented with the healthy lunch and they readily accepted the change; 88% of the students liked the cyclic menu of lunch, only 1% of the students were not happy with the lunch. The female staff in the school started delivering the same lunch thus making this model sustainable. In future, this should be implemented at national level; government should also supply this lunch free of cost to low socioeconomic schools thus securing the future of the children belonging to low and middle socioeconomic status.
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