An exploratory study to investigate the nutritional impact of nutrient and health inputs on school children (Boys, 5-13 years)
Kanani, S.J.; Gopaldas, T.
Indian Pediatrics 20(10): 715-720
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 6676275 Document Number: 211959
An initial attempt was made to quantitatively improve the nutritional impact of the Mid-Day-Meal (MDM) programme in several states of India through delivering specific inputs: 200 000 IU vitamin A, iron-folic acid and deinfestation tablets, to 113 MDM beneficiaries for half a school year. Results indicated that MDM food supplement could bridge the deficits of energy and protein in the home diet but not of Fe and vitamin A. Requirements for vitamin A were met only by the addition of specific nutrient inputs. There was a significant increase in Hb and a significant fall in clinical signs of xerophthalmia in children after intervention. Deinfested children after intervention had more Hb than those not deinfested. Delivery of deinfestation tablets was relatively less feasible than that of Fe and vitamin A due to non-cooperation and irregularity of attendance by the children. Cost of the inputs was one-third that of the food supplements.