GS PAPER II: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context: Project Grow Smart, a study conducted by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) has shown that adding a multiple micronutrient powder to the first bites of the meal in anganwadi centres has resulted in a striking reduction in anaemia among children aged between 3-6 years old.

• Anaemia and iron deficiency are widespread (40.5%) among preschool children in India, largely due to nutrition insecurity and low iron and other micronutrient diets.

Case study:

• The study was conducted in collaboration with the University of Maryland, Baltimore, US, at 22 anganwadis of Nalgonda district.
• The centres were randomised into a group that got micronutrients (which include iron, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin A and vitamin B2) or a placebo group (only vitamin B6).
• Anganwadi staff were trained to mix the micronutrients/placebo powder into a small portion of the cooked noon meal and serve it as the first few bites.
• After eight months, it was noticed that anaemia reduced from 46% to 10.1% among children who received the added micronutrient bites.
• The study also found that adding micronutrients led to gains in children’s language of about six points (equivalent to IQ points), in social-emotional development of about 4.5 points, and in inhibitory control of about three points.
• These gains in children’s health and neurobehavioral development mean that the children are better prepared to learn and to take advantage of opportunities in primary school, and beyond, advancing human capital development.

Significance of this study:

• This can be a cost-effective way to improve the health and neurobehavioral development of more than 2.5 crore preschool age children (3-6 years) that anganwadi centres serve throughout the country.
• The strategy adopted in the study can be stepped up to effectively combat anaemia among young children taking advantage of the infrastructure of the ICDS-Anganwadi Centres.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/micronutrient-bites-led-to-striking-reduction-in-anaemic-children-study/article34580524.ece?homepage=true

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