Samenvatting

Background: All countries are affected by one or more forms of malnutrition. 90 Percent of chronically malnourished children in developing countries live in Africa and Asia. India accounts for more than three in ten stunted children worldwide. Recent evidence shows that one in four children in India is too thin with a significantly higher prevalence in rural areas than in urban areas. Many countries have not gathered the necessary data, to completely understand the nature of malnutrition. Organisation FEMI in cooperation with local partner ASSIST want to address these nutrition problems and reduce malnutrition by implementing a new menu that meets the nutritional demands of school-aged children of 8-15 years old. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to examine possibilities to improve nutritional intake of school-aged children (8-15 years) of boarding schools in Markapur and Piduguralla, Andhra Pradesh, India. A nutritional assessment was performed using the four-day weighed food record method to identify macro- and micronutrient deficiencies. Anthropometric measurements were performed to classify Body-Mass Index for age and height-for-age. To determine malnutrition, anthropometric data was compared to the World Health Organization growth reference 5-19 years dataset. Results: Results showed an overall prevalence of thinness of 9,9%, of which 2,2% was severe thin. Based on height-for-age data, 39,2% of the studied children were classified as stunted. The estimated intake of energy, total fat, fibre, vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, calcium, potassium, selenium and iron did not meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances laid down by the Dietary Guidelines for children. The intake of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins B12 and D and showed to be sufficient for all children. This can be explained by excessive consumption of refined grains, low consumption of animal origin foods and low consumption of visible fats. Conclusion: To reduce malnutrition and meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances for all children, a new menu needs to be implemented. This menu is based on found food deficiencies, food availability, present facilities, Dietary Guidelines for Indians, local food culture and budget. Alongside the menu additional recommendations are given to meet the nutritional demands of school-aged children in Piduguralla and Markapur.