Feasibility in meeting nutrient amounts of the National School Feeding Program and its relationship with the menu cost

Abstract We evaluated the feasibility of the menu adequacy regarding the nutritional constraints established by the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) and its relation to the cost. Each menu accounted for a given food combination within each food group. A diet optimization model comprising each set of foods was designed to obtain food quantities in order to meet the exigences of the PNAE at the lowest cost (menus with 20% and 30% of dietary reference intake for energy, macronutrients, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamins A and C, also restrictions for sodium, saturated and trans fats, and added sugar). There was no feasible solution that accommodated all nutrient targets. Limiting components were calcium, sodium, and carbohydrates; but the menus were adequate for the other nutrients. There was a positive correlation between the menu cost and the frequency of meat and fruits, and a negative correlation with the contents of sodium and carbohydrates, and with the frequencies of rice and beans. The probability of obtaining carbohydrate adequacy was close to zero when the meat frequency was higher than one serving per week. In conclusion, it is unlikely to obtain menus that meet all the requirements of the PNAE.

摘要 本研究评估了符合国家学校供餐计划（National School Feeding Program，PNAE）所设定营养约束的菜单适宜性，及其与成本的关联。每份菜单由各食物组别内的特定食物组合构成。本研究构建了涵盖各类食物集合的膳食优化模型，以计算食物分量，从而在满足PNAE各项要求的前提下实现成本最低化：菜单需满足能量、宏量营养素、钙、铁、镁、锌、维生素A与C达到膳食参考摄入量（dietary reference intake）的20%与30%，同时需符合钠、饱和脂肪、反式脂肪及添加糖的限制条件。本研究未找到可覆盖所有营养目标的可行解。限制性成分为钙、钠与碳水化合物，但其余营养成分均可通过菜单达标。菜单成本与肉类、果蔬的食用频次呈正相关，与钠和碳水化合物的含量、大米及豆类的食用频次呈负相关。当肉类食用频次高于每周1份时，碳水化合物达标的概率趋近于零。综上，难以制定出完全符合PNAE所有要求的菜单。