Development and implementation of a children’s menu according to the criteria of the optimized mixed diet in a paediatric hospital – a feasibility study
- 15.12.2013
- English Articles
- Katrin Müller
- Kerstin Clausen
- Julia Pellmaier
- Claudia Krämer
- Hermann Kalhoff
- Mathilde Kersting
Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: June 10, 2013 | Revision accepted: September 19, 2013
Introduction
The diet of children in hospital becomes particularly crucial, when it comes to the consideration of certain disease-related requirements, e. g. in the event of intensive care or metabolic diseases [1, 2].
Aside from such special dietary needs, there is still an opportunity to introduce children and adults to a generally healthy diet, even during a short stay in hospital. Recommendations for a healthy hospital diet, like the socalled rationalisation scheme [3] and the DGE quality standard for care in hospitals [4, 5], apply solely to adults. As children have a greater need for energy and nutrients, in relation to their body weight, it makes sense to implement a healthy diet tailored to children in paediatric hospitals.
Summary
Up until now, recommendations for a healthy diet for hospital patients have been designed for adults. As a result, one aim of the Previkids NRW project was to develop a children’s menu according to the criteria of the optimized mixed diet (OMD), to label it with the associated optiMIX® seal and to implement it at the Clinic of Paediatrics in Dortmund. The practicability in the kitchen and on the hospital wards, as well as the acceptance of the meals among children, was also taken into consideration. The optimized menu contained four breakfasts and four evening meals, ten midday meals and five snacks. Children gave the OMD lunch a higher rating than before. In contrast, the OMD breakfast and dinner were given a lower rating than before. A menu according to the criteria of the OMD is feasible in terms of practicability in canteen kitchens. However, for this type of food selection to be accepted by children, assistance from the medical personnel is necessary.
Keywords: Previkids NRW, optimized mixed diet, preventative diet, catering industry, paediatric hospital, children and young people
