IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Sangeeta Pandey; Rubal Gupta

Volume : VII, Issue : XII, December - 2018

Dietary adequacy and nutritional assessment of children receiving government and non- government mid-day meal

Sangeeta Pandey, Rubal Gupta

Abstract :

Hunger, poverty and other causatives are the major hindrances in the growth and development of the children. Mid–Day Meal scheme was hence, one of the biggest milestones in this era to not only eradicate hunger but also improve the educational and nutritional status of children, which was later even outsourced to various Non– Governmental Organizations to reach to remote areas. Though the scheme was launched more than two decades ago, yet a question that lingers with all is that if the beneficiaries are really being benefitted in terms of growth and nutrition. Thus, a cross–sectional study was conducted in Bengaluru region among the beneficiaries of Government Mid–Day Meal and Non–Government Mid–Day Meal to assess the dietary adequacy, nutritional status and micronutrient deficiencies. The study was conducted on 100 children and data was collected using a pre–structured questionnaire. It was observed that the mean weight and height was higher of the children receiving Non–Government Mid–Day meal. The dietary adequacy percentage revealed that though the protein and Vitamin A consumption was higher in Government Mid Day Meal male subjects but the energy, fat, zinc and calcium levels were significantly low, except for iron which was more than the RDA among both the groups was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the RDA and dietary intake of iron and zinc was less than 50% of the RDA.