'Bengaluru kids undernourished'

Bengaluru: Despite the Mid -day Meal and Ksheera Bhagya schemes for students of government, BBMP and  aided schools in the city, a large number of Bengaluru children appear to be under-nourished.

A  survey conducted by a group of paediatricians and nutritionists  has revealed that nine out of 10 children in the city are at risk of suffering from hidden hunger, leaving them susceptible to stunting, weakened immune systems, impaired cognitive function, anaemia, and low energy levels .

The survey  which covered  634 city school children  drawn from  various socio-economic classes, found that  95 per cent  were at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake, with almost 70 per cent at risk of having insufficient intake of four or more micronutrients. The most inadequate intake was of vitamin A, folate, vitamin b12 and iron.   

 The Bengaluru study also showed that the risk of inadequate nutrient intake was regardless of a child's socio-economic class. The children surveyed were split among lower, middle and high socio-economic groups and had macronutrient dietary intakes that met standard recommendations, but were still found to be at risk of inadequate intake of micronutrients.

According to a city paediatrician   Dr V. V. Varadarajan  micronutrient deficiency is a neglected issue.  "Empowering mothers and fathers to spread awareness  can help hasten efforts to make hidden hunger a thing of the past," he says

Officials of the education and women and child welfare departments, said they were not aware of the survey. "If we got the detailed survey report, including  the methodology they have adopted and profile of children covered, we could take action immediately. In Bengaluru, the state government has initiated two schemes , Mid- day Meal and milk for school children to address this issue," said an officer from the women and child welfare department, adding  that at the anganawadi level there were  special programmes to tackle malnutrition among children.