Impact of nutrition intervention on the nutritional status and cognitive function among children (6-12 years) – An Interventional Study from South India

Nutrition intervention to improve cognitive function among children

Abstract

Good nutrition is a basic pillar for adequate health, productivity, and general functional capacity. Consuming safe, sufficient, and nutritious food is critical for child growth and development. Children who fail to grow adequately during this critical period may not make up for the growth loss even on an adequate diet, later in life. The present study aimed to provide nutritional supplementation using formulated nutritious health mix made out of selected potential ingredients and nutrition and health education on child nutrition to mother. This is an intervention study that included 90 children aged between 6 and 12 years based on the inclusion criteria. The children were subdivided in to three groups (CG, EGI and EGII) with 30 children in each group. The raw ingredients were procured, processed, powdered and mixed for preparing health mix for supplementation for three months. The children were able to consume 50gm of health mix per day in the form of ladoos as mid - morning and mid-evening snacks. The results revealed that the selected children in the Experimental Group II who received health mix supplementation along with health and nutrition education to mother improved in nutritional status and cognitive function. This study offers new insight for formulating policies and intervention programs in the future.