Nutritional Assessment Of Agrarian Children In Tirunelveli Corporation

Abstract

The goal of this research report was to conduct formative research for development of a Nutrition intervention for the Scheduled Caste community. Pre-school aged children in Scheduled Caste are stunted and exhibit micronutrient deficiencies as evidenced by anthropometric and biochemical laboratory data. The traditional Urban Scheduled Caste diet may because for micronutrient deficiencies leading to stunted growth in preschool aged children. The variety in food intake is lacking and may have unintentionally created an unhealthy food environment for pre-school aged children in Scheduled Caste, Urban Scheduled Caste. The most impacted age range is when the children are between the ages of 1 and 3 years old.   In food insecure homes, the food variety is much less available than is in families of food secure homes. Deficiencies and food insecurity exist concurrently creating an environment that is not conducive to adequate growth and development in preschool aged children. Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) a possible intervention for this population would include a series of classes offered on site at the Greater Tirunelveli Corporation Primary Health Center. The series would begin working with pregnant women in insuring proper nutrition during pregnancy and on the importance of exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life for new mothers. The next class in the series would focus on weaning and adequate supplemental nutrition during this critical period of growth. The final series of the classes would focus on pre-school aged child nutrition, the importance of variety and how to prepare food with a limited budget and availability. The series might even include a series on community gardening to grow fruits and Vegetables that may otherwise be out of the family budget.