ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the Mid Day Meal (MDM) Program on enrollment, attendance, dropout rate and retention rate in the schools and its impact on nutritional status as well as on school performance. DESIGN: Comparison by multistage random sampling. SUBJECTS: Primary school children, who are attending the school in the MDM and non-MDM areas. RESULTS: A total of 2,694 children (MDM: 1361; Non-MDM : 1333) from 60 schools were covered in the study. Results of the study indicated better enrollment (p<0.05) and attendance (p<0.001), higher retention rate with reduced dropout rate (p<0.001) a marginally higher scholastic performance and marginally higher growth performance of MDM children. CONCLUSION: MDM program is associated with a better educational and nutritional status of school children in Karnataka.
Subject(s)
Child , Dietary Services , Educational Status , Female , Humans , India , Male , Nutritional Status , SchoolsABSTRACT
During the last 25 years, a large database has been accumulated on the diet and nutritional status of the rural population of different states of India. The National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad have carried out extensive diet and nutrition surveys in 12 states of the country. These surveys indicate that the diets of the rural population are inadequate and deficient in most of the nutrients. There is widespread energy deficiency in the rural households. About 60 per cent of the preschool children are underweight (< median -2SD weight for age of NCHS) and 62 per cent are stunted (long duration malnutrition). About 15 per cent of the children of 1-5 yr of age suffer from short duration malnutrition (wasting). Repeat surveys showed that severe malnutrition had declined substantially in children. Similarly, there was reduction in the extent of chronic energy deficiency among the adults. However, there were no perceptible changes in the diet and nutrient intakes during the past 20 yr.
Subject(s)
Adult , Anthropometry , Body Mass Index , Child , Child, Preschool , Diet , Energy Intake , Humans , India/epidemiology , Infant , Nutrition Disorders/epidemiology , Nutritional Status , Rural PopulationABSTRACT
A health and nutrition survey was conducted on tribals in three ecological zones of Madhya Pradesh namely Jhabua (West Zone), Bastar (South Zone) and Sarguja (East Zone) taking into consideration the relative contribution of agriculture, forest and a combination of both to the economy, respectively. The consumption of both foods and nutrients appear to be worse among preschool children of Jhabua compared to Bastar and Sarguja. Clinically overt forms of Protein Energy Malnutrition and other vitamin deficiency signs were strikingly low. However, 4% of children in Sarguja exhibited signs of goitre. Both by extent and severity of malnutrition, the children of Jhabua appear to be worse followed by Bastar and Sarguja.
Subject(s)
Anthropometry , Child , Child Nutrition Disorders/ethnology , Child, Preschool , Racial Groups , Energy Intake , Female , Food , Growth Disorders/ethnology , Humans , India/epidemiology , Infant , Male , Nutritional Status , Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific IslanderABSTRACT
Acceptability trials with three types of recipes was carried out on 184 young preschoolers (6 months to 35 months) residing in four nearby villages around Hyderabad. Results of this study indicated that among the 3 types of supplementary foods (Sweet Ready Mix, Sweet Ready Mix with Amylase and Therapeutic food tested here, the Therapeutic food was more acceptable (taste, smell and bulk) to the children. The criteria for acceptability of the food was defined as the ability of 75% of the children to consume 75% or more of the food supplement at one sitting for 70% of the days of the trial. The Therapeutic food, a calorie dense supplement, met the above criteria. The acceptability was poor for the Sweet Ready Mix and Sweet Ready Mix with Amylase (< 4%) mainly due to quantity rather than taste and smell as revealed by the mothers. The mothers of the children also liked the taste and smell of the therapeutic food better. Consumption of the therapeutic food caused minimal side effects like diarrhea and vomiting when compared to side effects after eating Sweet Ready Mix and Sweet Ready Mix with Amylase in children.
Subject(s)
Child, Preschool , Energy Intake , Female , Food, Fortified , Humans , India , Infant , Nutrition Disorders/diet therapy , Patient Satisfaction , Rural PopulationABSTRACT
A study was undertaken to assess the health, nutrition and psychosocial profile of Institutionalized children in four States--Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal. A sample of 3,822 children from 70 institutions in 6-18 years age group formed the subjects of the study. It was observed that the destitute children were mainly taken care of in three types of institutions, viz, Voluntary, Government Aided and Government run institutions. Calorie deficiency and deficiency of Vitamins and minerals characterized the diets of these children. In general, there was no deficit of protein in their diets. Growth wise, these children were retarded both in height and weight compared to standards. However, they fared better in comparison to their age and sex counterparts in the rural and urban poor. Psychosocial profile of these children indicated that the prevailing environment in the institutions is less conducive for intellectual stimulation but not so for the development of skills of self-help, locomotion, socialization and imagery.