2017, VOL. 3 ISSUE 3, PART B
Abstract:Background: Due to poverty, one-third of school children are malnourished in developing countries. Malnourished children are underdeveloped both physically and cognitively, which makes schooling difficult for them. Midday Meal Scheme is a school meal programme of the government of India designed to improve the nutritional status of school-age children nationwide. It has been reported that MDM has catered to the nutritional needs of school children.
Objectives: The study aimed to assessing the performance of Mid-Day Meal on nutritional status of school going in Muzaffarpur Town of Bihar. Methods: Present study was carried out among 110 children in the age group 6-10 years randomly selected from 5 Govt. schools from Muzaffarpur Town. BMI-for-age was measured and determined by using WHO anthro Plus software and using WHO reference 2007 values. For performance of MDM scheme according to respondent, the Likert scale range was used. Nutritive value of the diets, consumed by the children were calculated by using the Diet Cal Software and compared with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values given by ICMR (2010).
Result: The thinness of nutrition was present in 50.91% of Boys and 41.82% of girls. The mean score (3.73), Variance (1.24) and SD (1.11) shows that respondents agree with lack of hygienic condition. Respondents agree with issue on lack of oil/ingredients/vegetables in meal, the mean (4.10), variance (0.70) and SD (0.84) clearly show their agreement. But respondents do not decide with the issue on lack of meal, it is clearly show by the mean (2.94), variance (1.52) and SD (1.23).
Conclusion: In conclusion there were statistically significant differences. Children had higher prevalence of malnutrition, so there is an urgent need to change the diet plan, re-evaluate the subsidies and supervision of MDM Scheme.