IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION – Mother Miracle Project and Nutrition EducationRachel Peters - Dietitian

MY PROJECT

To assess the nutritional adequacy of the diets of the children at Mother Miracle and to make recommendations that would improve their diets

Adequate nutrition intake is important for good growth and health and also helps children perform better and concentrate at school

MOTHER MIRACLE PROJECT

I have measured the height and weight of the children and compared to standard levelsMost children (82.1%) are growing wellAlmost 1 in 5 children show signs of being

underweight or malnourished (18%) 3 children appear to be close to being

overweight for their age

This is based on updated date of birth records and relies on accurate age for the child

MOTHER MIRACLE PROJECT

I measured the difference in growth in children compared to the measurements taken by the dietitian in 2011 (53 children)Most children are growing wellOnly 1 out of 53 appeared to have only

grown 3.5cm in 2 years Age Height

Difference (cm)

Percentage Growth since 2011

Weight Difference (kg)

Percentage Growth since 2011

6-9 3.5 - 15.9cm 3.18 -14.65% 4 - 10.1kg 22.63 -50.5%

10-13 8.3 – 17.1cm 7.7 - 14.15% 3.3 – 12.4kg 17.67 – 47%

MOTHER MIRACLE PROJECT I have taken diet histories from the children to

find out about their usual diet. I then analysed this to look at what nutrients they are low in.

UGK to 3rd class – 3 day diet history 5% had missed breakfast once, 15% had missed at

least one evening meal 17.5% did not have vegetables at home in the

past 3 days 42.5% did not have dahl at home in the last 3 days 45% had fruit less than once per week 47.5% had milk less than twice per week 65% ate nuts once per month or less

MOTHER MIRACLE PROJECT

4th and 5th Class Asked about the frequency they eat a list of

foods Analyzed for nutrients that are commonly

inadequate in Indian diets Vitamin A. B12. C, D, iron, iodine, zinc, calcium and

protein Found that most children were not meeting their

recommended dietary allowance (RDA)

Mother Miracle Project Results 4th and 5th class

Vitamin /Mineral

Vit Aµg

Vit B12µg

Vit Dµg

IronMg

Zincmg

Iodineµmol

Calciummmol

Vit Cmg

Proteing

Intake range

81.28 - 723.55

0.14 - 3.53

0.07 -1.63

4.39 – 19.89

2.71- 12.91

0.17-6.11 104.98-1110.78

13.24- 105.26

16.65-94.82

Intake average

387.17 1.3 0.45 9.68 6.8 2.2 497.6 31.67 45.11

RDA: (7-9, 10-12, 13+ yrs)

600 0.2- 1 10 16- 32 8 - 11 0.95-1.19 600 - 800 40 29.5-54.3

No. not meeting RDA

32 16 37 36 35 12 36 31 13

Deficient under RDA (%)

86% 43% No** 97% 95% 32% 97% 84% 35%

RECOMMENDATIONS

Double fortified salt increase iron intake

Consider providing children with a glass of milk Vitamin A, B12 and C, calcium, protein, zinc,

iodine Vitamin A fortified oil

Vitamin A and D Change frequency of vegetables

Vitamin A rich vegetable at least 2/wk Vitamin C rich vegetable at least 2/wk Include soya bean in subji with vitamin C rich

vegetable Include Nutrela (soya protein) 1/wk

Mother Miracle Project Changes to children’s intake if recommendations are

implementedVitamin /Mineral

Vit Aµg

Vit B12µg

Vit Dµg

IronMg

Zincmg

Iodineµmol

Calciummmol

Vit Cmg

Proteing

Increased provision

81.28 - 723.55

0.14 - 3.53

0.07 -1.63

4.39 – 19.89

2.71- 12.91

0.17-6.11 104.98-1110.78

13.24- 105.26

16.65-94.82

% increase meeting RDA

387.17 1.3 0.45 9.68 6.8 2.2 497.6 31.67 45.11

Children meeting RDA

600 0.2- 1 10 16- 32 8 - 11 0.95-1.19 600 - 800 40 29.5-54.3

Hygiene

Hygiene is very important to stay healthy and prevent disease

Simple things to help improve hygiene Wash hands regularly with soap – after toilet,

before and after eating, before preparing food Wash vegetables and fruit thoroughly before

cutting and eating Boil water and milk to kill bacteria Keep dairy, meat and fresh vegetables

at less than 10oC (eg in fridge) where possible Filtered water Brush your teeth

Water

Many children reported having headaches often

Some only had 2-3 glasses of water per day It is recommended to have at least 8 cups of

water per day and more when it is summer time.

Encourage the children to have regular intake of water during the day

Nutrients studied

Protein Vitamin A Vitamin B12 Vitamin D Iron Zinc Iodine Calcium Vitamin C

PROTEIN

FunctionGrowth and repair, make new cells and

hormones Sources

Meat, dahl and beans, dairy, eggs, nuts and seeds, soya beans, wheat (eg roti)

Important to have a variety Deficiency

poor growth in children, poor immune system, weakness in strength, anaemia

Higher risk in vegetarian and poorer communities

VITAMIN A

Function Important for normal vision, particularly at

night, helps strengthen immunity and important for health skin and gut lining

Sources Cheese, eggs, milk,

Deficiency Night blindness, bitot spots

VITAMIN B

Group of 8 vitamins found in various foods B1, B2, B3, B5, B7 folate, B12 B12 is common deficiency found in India

Vitamin B12 Function

helps protects nerves, maintain mental ability, make red blood cells, make energy for the body

Sources meat, liver, milk, cheese, eggs only found in animal based foods

Deficiency fatigue, nerve damage, depression, weight loss

VITAMIN C Function

Immune system, wound healing, important to keep organs and cells healthy and strong

Sources Tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, potato, giant

chilli/capsicum, citrus fruit (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit), alma, guava, coriander leaves, agathi,

Deficiency Poor immune system, Scurvy – bleeding and swollen gums,

red dots on skin, tiredness, muscle and joint pain

VITAMIN D

Function Sources

Eggs, powdered milk, fortified oil, oily fish The Sun!! The body creates Vitamin D when the

skin is exposed to the sun.

Deficiency Weak bones and decreased bone density,

increased risk of osteoporosis in adulthood Increased risk in those who do not go outside

often. Also, if the skin is covered up then you cannot produce Vitamin D

IRON

Function Creating heamglobin (blood), mental function,

improve immune system Sources

Red meat, legumes, soya beans, green leafy vegetables - Amaranth, bengalgram leaves, cauliflower greens and radish leaves

Deficiency Anaemia – 50-70% of the Indian population have

anaemia and most is related to poor iron intake Feeling very tired, no energy, poor immune

system

WAYS TO IMPROVE IRON INTAKE

• Eat foods high in Vitamin C at the same time to improve absorption Tomato, cauliflower (gaubi), cabbage (patta gaubi), fruit

– citrus, alma, guava Some foods reduce iron absorption and should be

limited at meal time with iron rich foods Tea, coffee, chocolate, eggs, peppermint and chamomile

• Sprouting beans will help improve iron (and zinc) content

CALCIUM

Function Important for strong bones, muscle contraction,

heartbeat Sources

Dairy foods – milk, cheese (paneer), yoghurt/curd, green leafy vegetables, soya bean, almonds (badam), fish eaten with bones

Deficiency Poor growth, weak and soft bones that can

break easily, bone pain, bone deformaties – bowed legs, dental cavities

IODINE

Function Helps to make hormones that are important for

metabolism and keeping cells healthy Sources

Sea fish, milk, eggs, iodized salt, legumes, seaweed

Important not to have too much salt as this will increase blood pressure

Deficiency In children – stunted growth, decreased

intelligence, retardation Goitre – enlarged thyroid, dry skin, hair loss,

fatigue and slowed reflexes.

ZINC

Function Helps make new cells and enzymes, helps

digest protein, fat and carbohydrate, wound healing

Sources Dairy - milk, paneer, curd, cereal product

(wheat) eg bread/chapati, meat, shellfish, legumes, nuts, tofu

Deficiency Decreased immune system, diarrhea, decreased

eyesight, taste, smell, poor memory

Thank you!!!