Designing of Nutritional Snacks to Address Micronutrient Deficiency among the Malnourished Tribal Children below Age Five in Western Part of India

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of Calcium rich diet on the memory status of malnourished children below age five. Methodology: Three types of  micronutrient based  indigenous vegetarian snacks were designed and implemented  for two intervention groups to improve the nutrient intakes among the pre primary school tribal children below age five which were under the burden of hunger.  Morning  and afternoon snacks were given in the form of steamed rice preparation  rich in beta carotene, Iron, Ascorbic acid and vitamin B 12. For intervention group one which includes 24 subjects, only steamed rice preparation was given in the afternoon where as for intervention group second   with 20 subjects,  along with the steamed rice,Calcium was also given . The control group constitutes 25 children. This Six months dietary study conducted between June to Nov, 2013 was linked with clinical parameters such as, energy intake, malnutrition measurement, and body weight, IQ, learning behavior, memory enhancement and classroom concentration of each child. Results: We observed the  malnutrition status almost zero, significant intake of energy, increase of IQ, memory and concentration in both the group but memory enhancement was significantly higher in group second   compare to group one .In both the intervention  group, Kids were regularly skipping the home made food deficient in nutritional parameters. There is positive correlation between the dietary intakes of calcium (100mg/day/child) on memory enhancement. Conclusion: This study shows that mid afternoon snacks supported with Calcium supplementation enhance the IQ and memory of children.