Nutrient intake and consumption of supplementary nutrition by severely malnourished children in two ICDS projects in Rajasthan state

In India severe protein energy malnutrition is one of the important factors associated with high infant and child mortality rate. Thus direct intervention in the form of supplementary nutrition (SN) is provided through ICDS scheme to malnourished children for improving their nutritional status. However data regarding the status of receipt of consumption of SN by severely malnourished children in the ICDS scheme is lacking. As such a study was undertaken in two urban ICDS projects of Rajasthan to evaluate the nutrient intake and consumption pattern of SN by severely malnourished children. The nutritional status of all the children in 6 months-6 year age group in 50 angan-wadi centers was assessed by weight for age criteria as per the Indian Academy of Pediatrics Classification. Overall the results show that the calorie intake of severely malnourished children was found to be low and insufficient in all the three age groups in spite of registration for delivery of supplementary nutrition. It is also noted that the distribution of double supplementary nutrition to severely malnourished children was not according to the guidelines. Hence there is a need to emphasize the guidelines for distribution and consumption of SN for management of severe malnutrition through the ICDS scheme.