NUTRIENT INTAKE AND CONSUMPTION OF SUPPLEMENTARY NUTRITION BY PREGNANT MOTHERS IN ICDS AND NON-ICDS AREAS : A PILOT STUDY

This pilot study examined the dietary intake among pregnant women and their use of supplementary nutrition provided by the ICDS program in India. Data were obtained from 174 pregnant women registered in an ICDS project in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and from 51 pregnant women who lived in a neighboring Community Development Block without nutrition supplementation as controls. Data were obtained about dietary intake using the 24-hour recall method. 52.9% were of low socioeconomic status. Findings indicate that the energy intake was 1406 kcal in the 1st trimester 1330 kcal in the 2nd trimester and 1333 kcal in the 3rd trimester in the ICDS area. For the 3 pregnancy stages energy intakes in the non-ICDS area were 1241 kcal 1049 kcal and 1240 kcal respectively. Only 24% of mothers registered for supplementary nutrition and actually collected their food. Only 11% consumed 75-100% of food received. 36% consumed under 50% of food received. All mothers shared the nutritional supplements with family members. It is recommended that evaluation research monitor consumption of nutritional supplements in public programs. The costs of nutritional supplements are high and better targeted to vulnerable areas with chronic food shortages.