The purpose of the study was to develop a multi-criteria model for easily monitoring the nutritional adequacy of meals as part of a subsidised student meal system. Based on a review of the literature, we used the Kids' Menu Healthy Score (KIMEHS) and the healthy plate model to design a scoring system, defined by seven meal components. Ten experts evaluated the content of the scoring system using the Delphi method. Using the final scoring system for the visual assessment of meals, 20 student lunches from subsidised student meal providers were analysed in the field. We visually assessed the meals, weighed the individual meal components and used the OPKP online tool to evaluate their nutritional composition. The results showed that the mean visual rating of the meals was 10.4 (± 4.3) points out of 20, with half of the meals achieving lower or partial compliance with dietary recommendations and the other half showing higher or very high compliance. On average, the plate contained 52.5 % starchy foods, 28.8 % protein foods and 17.6 % vegetables. The nutritional analysis revealed an excessive salt content and an insufficient amount of vegetables in the meals. An additional scoring system was developed to analyse nutritional composition. A moderate positive correlation was found between the visual assessment of meals and the assessment of their nutritional composition. The results indicate that the visual assessment scoring system is useful for quick and easy evaluation of the nutritional quality of student meals; however, further research is needed to confirm with greater certainty that the scoring system is a reliable indicator of nutritional adequacy.
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