International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition

Authors
Abhina B, Anitha Chandran C

Abstract
Aim: To assess food consumption pattern of anganwadi centers in Trivandrum district, Kerala, India. SAMPLE: Ninety children attending the anganwadi centers in the age group of two to six years were studied. STUDY DESIGN: A random study was done to assess food consumption pattern such as food habit, frequency of food items, daily meal pattern and actual food intake of children (2-6 years) attending anganwadi centers in the Urban 2 project areas of Trivandrum district, Kerala. Children were selected randomly from sector 1 and sector 4. Data collected were compared with the standard values to find the disparities. Locale of Study: Sectors I and IV in the Urban II project areas of Trivandrum district in Kerala was randomly selected for study. Methodology: In order to achieve the objectives, following action programs were envisaged and conducted through, assessing the food habit, frequency of food items, daily meal pattern and actual food intake of children. Results: More than 95.60 per cent of the beneficiaries are non-vegetarians. All the children had the habit of consuming rice, green gram, curry leaves, ground nut coconut and jaggery daily. Green gram, rice, ground nut toffies along with jaggery were made and provided to children daily at the anganwadi center. The mean intake of children in the age group of 1-3 years were calculated and the results shown that, their diet except the quantity of energy and protein were deficient in Vitamin A and Iron in their diet. In the case of children in the age group of 4-6 years their diet were deficient in energy, vitamin A and Iron. An alarming finding from the study pointed out that this amount is not sufficient for the children above the age of three years. Conclusion: Findings of the present study recommends that there is a need to improve the menu pattern in the anganwadi children. Quantity of items taken and given to children need to be improved, especially for children in the age group of 4-6 years.