Author(s): Neha Kumari and Dr. Rashmi Shrivastava

Abstract:
Nutrition in children has an important influence on health both in primary school children 6 to 12 years. Actions aimed at improving children’s nutrition are essential, not only to the children and their families, but also to the whole society. The aim of the study was to present the results of nutrient intake before starting a nutrition and physical activity intervention programme, to investigate gender differences in nutrient intake and to discuss whether the preschoolers’ nutrient intake is similar to the intake of their peers from other countries. Nutrient intake was estimated from seven-day weighed food records kept by parents and preschool staff individually for 6to 12-year-old children who attended two preschools. Nutrient intake was calculated using Diet a 4.0 computer programme including water intake and intake of nutrients from dietary supplements. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics computer programme, version 21.0, according to gender. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Bhopal University of Medical Sciences.