Professional paper

DIETARY PATTERNS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN CROATIA: CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES

Lucija Rožić ; Institute of Emergency Medicine of Šibenik-Knin County, Narodnog Preporoda 1, 22 000 Šibenik, Croatia *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Nutrition in primary school age is important for growth, development, and health. Although nutritional guidelines for school children are clearly defined, available data from Croatia show that children’s dietary patterns often differ from recommended standards. The aim of this review paper was to present the dietary patterns of primary school children in Croatia and to identify the main challenges in the implementation of nutritional guidelines. The paper was based on a narrative review of scientific and professional literature, as well as relevant national and international documents. The reviewed literature showed problems such as skipping breakfast, irregular meal frequency, insufficient intake of fruit and vegetables, and frequent consumption of foods high in salt, sugar, and fat. Earlier Croatian studies and more recent national data indicate that these problems have been present over a longer period and remain an important public health issue. The findings also show that the implementation of nutritional guidelines is influenced by the school food environment, family eating habits, socioeconomic circumstances, and food marketing. Improving children’s dietary patterns therefore requires cooperation between schools, families, public health institutions, and wider policy action.

Keywords

dietary patterns; primary school children; nutritional guidelines; child nutrition; Croatia

Hrčak ID:

347504

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/347504

Publication date:

29.5.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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