The objective of the study was to assess the quality of packed school lunch given to pre-schoolers for its nutritional value and to assess the impact of nutrition education to parents to improve the nutritional quality of the lunch. Children (n=70, with control and experiment groups, 35 each) from 3 schools in Mysore city were part of the study. The study was conducted using a pre-test post-test model. At the pre-test level the nutritional intake of a sub-sample of children (n=20) was assessed by 24 hour recall method. The nutritional quality of lunch boxes was assessed by 5 day weighment survey. An intervention of a nutrition education program was applied to the parents of the experiment group based on observational learning; nutrition knowledge scores were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. The impact of the education program was assessed at the post-test stage, studying the nutrition quality of school lunch boxes after the program. Results indicated that the diets of the children in the pre-test stage were adequate in protein and fat but inadequate in energy and micronutrients. Educational intervention resulted in increased dietary diversity in the lunch boxes with increased presence of fruits and vegetables. The post-test nutrition knowledge questionnaire showed an improvement in knowledge scores. The educational program had a positive impact on the nutrition quality of school lunch boxes of preschoolers.  

Keywords: Dietary diversity; Food frequency; Nutrient intake; Nutrition knowledge.