Comparison of the chemical composition and fatty acids profile of food of animal origin in Italian summer and winter school diets.

A considerable amount of evidence has been accumulated to support the view that some fatty acids [conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), alpha linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)], which are found in food of animal origin, have beneficial effects on human health. Their consumption levels are insufficient in most Western diets. Over the last 50 years, there has been a change in the predominant concerns about the diets and health of school aged children. However, the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of most animal food are very variable. In this research, the dry matter, ash, crude protein, ether extract and gross energy contents, fatty acid profile and health indexes have been evaluated in the food of animal origin present in the summer and winter menus of Italian schoolchildren. The results have highlighted the importance of selecting the appropriate source of n-3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA n-3) in these diets.