ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES TOWARD SCHOOL MEALS, AND FOOD PREFERENCES AMONG GENERAL EDUCATION SCHOOL STUDENTS

A sociological study was conducted to assess nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes toward school meals, and food preferences among students of general education schools. The study was carried out in five general education schools in the Tashkent region and included 287 students from grades 3-4. The findings showed that most students recognize the importance of school meals for academic performance; however, this understanding remains insuffi­ciently developed among some children. These results indicate the need to improve the methodological framework of educational activities aimed at promoting healthy nutrition in general education schools.