Dietary habits and nutritional status of upper primary school children covered under Mid-Day Meal scheme in rural Punjab

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the dietary habits and nutritional status of upper primary school children covered under mid-day meal scheme (MDMS) in rural Punjab. Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted among 336 adolescent (10-15 years) students of 6th to 8th standard randomly selected from 11 government/ municipality schools selected randomly from the total 112 schools rural Punjab in 2018. After taking informed written assent/ consent, pretested, semi structured questionnaire was administered. Anthropometric measurements were taken to establish malnutrition, underweight, stunting, wasting and overweight. Results: Majority (90%) liked the MDMS which was being served to them. There was 96% regularity in attending the school daily with a slightly less emphasis on the cleanliness maintenance (73%) of the children by the schoolteachers. Malnutrition and underweight were 59% and 50% prevalent, respectively. The prevalence of stunting was higher in girls (30%). In boys (154) both the stunting and wasting was 23%, with 5% and 6% prevalence of overweight and at risk of overweight respectively. Whereas in case of girls (182), the prevalence of stunting (30%) was more than wasting (25%) with less girls (3% each) being overweight and at risk of overweight. Conclusions: Regularity and attendance were up to mark due to increased likeliness of the food by majority of the students, though cleanliness should be improved further. Higher prevalence of malnutrition, wasting and stunting was observed which was even higher among girls. Overweight and risk of overweight was higher among boys. Hence, nutritional status was unsatisfactory.

Assessment of quality of mid-day meal in Khamanon, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab

Background: Mid-day meal (MDM) is a scheme implemented by Government of India to combat the problem of malnourishment. Periodic assessment of the food and nutritional quality of mid-day meals being served to the school children for nutrient consumption is imperative. This study was designed to evaluate the quality of food served under MDM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in randomly selected 11 government schools of Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab (May-July, 2018). The cooked food samples were evaluated for assessing the food quality of MDM in different schools with respect to colour, consistency and taste by a panel of 5-6 judges. The amount of food grains, pulses, vegetables, etc. provided to all the upper primary school children were recorded and then evaluated for the nutritive content (calories, protein, fat) of MDM and its contribution per day. Results: In the present study, energy as well as protein requirement was fulfilled by mid-day meal but was low for fat (2.4 gm). The quantity of mid-day meal provided was adequate except for the vegetables (leafy also). Usage of green leafy vegetables was low (42 gm), served once in a week. There was 76% adequacy of nutrient intake in the present study. Conclusions: The present study shows that improvement in the quality and quantity of the Mid-day meal is essential to fill the nutrient gap. There is a need to improve fat content of the meal, as it was low. More leafy vegetables should be included in the meal or their substitutes should be encouraged.

Contribution of mid-day meal scheme to students nutrition in Bengaluru, India: time to re-look

Background: The mid-day meal scheme (MDMS) in India is the world’s largest free school lunch program. In 2021, the scheme was renamed as PM-POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakthi Nirman). We conducted a study to quantify the routine daily dietary intake of school children with reference to calorie and protein intake and assess the proportion of calorie and protein intake from mid-day meals compared to routine daily intake. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in select five government schools of urban area of Bengaluru. From each school, a sample of 69 students (23 from each class i.e., 5th, 6th, and 7th standard) were selected using a computer-generated random number table amounting to a total sample size of 345. All the data were collected in a structured proforma and electronically entered using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using Epidata analysis software, version 3.1. Results: Our study findings revealed that nearly 1 in 3.6 children have protein deficiency routinely in their diet and 1 in 7.5 children have both protein plus calorie deficiency. Conclusions: Our study has the following programmatic implications: first, the protein deficiency among the school children in the age group 9 to 14 is considerably high. Second, it is imperative to evaluate the quality of food distributed to the schools and children at regular point of time. It is also necessary that the food served to the children should be customized to their taste and it should be locally accepted.

Operational research on mid day meal program and its outcome on growth of school children in rural area.

Background: Mid Day Meal (MDM) program has been launched by the government of India with objective to improve nutritional status of school children. Objective: To assess the impact of MDM on nutritional status of children. Methods: 1503 students from 4 schools were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurements and MDM consumption data was collected. Results: Prevalence of underweight ranged from 71.3 % according to CDC 2000 standards while it was 67.8 % according to WHO 2007 standard. The prevalence of stunting was almost 33 % signifying long standing chronic malnutrition. MDM consumption ranged from 52.8 % in one school to 63.6 % in other school. MDM consumption was maximum in December (66.6%) and January (61.7 %). Weekly consumption pattern varied from 58 % to 74 % according to likes and dislikes of the children Conclusion: Proper monitoring of the program should be done to improve the nutritional status of school children.

Impact of NGO run mid day meal program on nutrition status and growth of primary school children.

Objective. To study the impact of wholesome mid day meal (MDM) program run by an NGO on the growth of the primary school students in rural area of Mathura district. Methods. This intervention study involved children enrolled in Government run rural primary schools in Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh from March 06 through August 07. A wholesome, nutritionally balanced MDM provided by an NGO for the students in the 6 primary schools was selected as intervention group. Control group consisted of children in 8 schools which received locally prepared MDM by village panchayats. Height, weight, change in height/month, change in weight/month, prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition and prevalence of signs of vitamin deficiencies, were measured. Results. Food was provided for 221 days in one year. Within group and between groups repetitive measures were compared using generalized estimating equation (GEE). Within both intervention and control groups height and weight had significantly increased (p < 0.05), while there was no significant difference between the groups. There was no change in prevalence of malnutrition within either of the groups. Reduction in vitamin A deficiency signs was 38% more in intervention group (p < 0.001). Prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency reduced by 50% more in intervention group. No such differences between groups were observed for vitamin B complex and vitamin C. Conclusions. MDM provided by the NGO has no better impact on growth of the primary school children, however, it reduced prevalence of vitamin deficiency significantly in comparison to the MDM run by Village Panchayats.