DETERMINATION OF NUTRIENT ADEQUACY OF THE FOOD CATERED IN THE CHILD CARE HOMES (CCHs) OF SUNSARI DISTRICT

Abstract

Abstract Malnutrition continues to be a primary cause of ill health and mortality among school age orphan and vulnerable children in developing countries. Objective: Determination of nutrient adequacy of the food catered in the child care homes of Sunsari district. Methods: Weighing method was used for determining the amount of food eaten and food composition table was used to determine the nutrient content of food eaten. Anthropometric measurements were used to determine the nutritional status of the children and adolescent. Statistical analysis was performed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows SPSS (version 20.0). T-test and bivariate spearman correlation coefficients were used to compare the nutrient intake with respective RDA and to determine the association between nutrient intake and malnutrition respectively. Results: The study revealed, 33.82% and 17.39% of study population were stunted and underweight respectively. Equal percentages (7.81%) of study population were overweight and thin. Probability of calorie and protein adequacy was found in 52.94% and 89.71% of study population in CCHs. Calcium intake of all children and adolescent were found to be below their RDA. Cereals contributed the highest amount by weight (355.3g) and proportion (39%) to the total diet for the study population in CCHs. Fruits 1% (12.9g) and additional oil 2% (20.9g) made a small contribution to the study population dietary intake. Fish and eggs were completely lacking in their diet. Probability of iron inadequacy was found in 80.9% of study population in CCHs. The proportion of stunting and underweight were inversely and significantly (p<0.05) correlated with population energy and iron intake respectively. The proportion of thin and stunting were positively and significantly correlated with study population’s visible fat and calcium intake