Comprehensive nutrient gap analysis of children (6-23 months) of selected villages of jambusar block in Bharuch district

Abstract

The "First 1000 Days" are a period of rapid physical growth and enhanced mental development that provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create lifelong health and intelligence. These first 1000 days of life prepare a child for good health for the rest of their life. Quality of Complementary food plays very important role in maintaining growth and development of young children. It was a University-NGO collaborative study so the study was conducted in the villages which comes under working of aatapi seva foundation in Jambusar block. In this study Jambusar block was purposively selected and the study was conducted in anganwadi centers of 5 villages where aatapi seva foundation is currently working. Total 232 children were enrolled in the study and data on Socio- economic status (HHs), Practices about Complementary feeding and three day 24 hour Dietary Recall. Nutrient gap analysis for 11 nutrients were carried out using RDA for children given by ICMR 2020The results of the study showed the all of the children had a percent nutritional deficit for all micronutrients. The energy deficit in 1-2 year old children was 48.8%, compared to 13.4% in the 6-12 month age group. Minimum meal frequency, dietary diversity, and acceptable diets were found to be 51 %, 71%, and 34%, respectively. It can be concluded that breast feeding practices and complementary feeding practices needs to be strengthen among young mothers. Energy deficit was seen in all the children. Nutrient gap was found for all the micronutrients in all the children.