Impact of mid day meal scheme on household food security in Punjab
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Date
2022
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to examine the various mid day meal practices in relation to nutritional adequacy and food safety measures in the government primary schools. The perception of families of mid day meal beneficiaries about mid day meal scheme and its impact on their household food security status in Punjab was also assessed. A total of 480 mid day meal beneficiaries (7-9 years) and their families were selected using multistage random sampling technique from the three agro-climatic regions (central plain, south-western and sub-mountain undulating region) of Punjab. For the purpose, 160 mid day meal beneficiaries were selected from 8 schools belonging to two blocks of each district (Ludhiana, Bathinda and Nawanshahr). Infrastructure of the selected schools in Punjab was found to be good and
satisfactory practices were observed with regards to food safety and hygiene. The bacterial and fungal count in meal samples were in the safe range. The findings revealed that adequate food ingredients (99 g of wheat and rice and 21 g of pulses) per child were provided by the schools and energy (445 kcal) and protein (17g) content of the mid-day meals was also at par with the recommended guidelines. However, average daily food and nutrient intake was found to be inadequate as compared to the suggested dietary intake and estimated average requirement. Prevalence of thinness and underweight was observed to be more in boys than girls, however, girls were more stunted than boys. Prevalence of anaemia was found to be 26 per cent in the selected mid day meal beneficiaries. The results revealed that 61 per cent of
the families were from the upper lower class and the prevalence of food insecurity was high at 77 per cent. Food insecure families had a relatively higher perception about the mid day meal scheme as compared to the food secure families. Family income, socio-economic class, food expenditure, food consumption and perception about the mid day meal scheme showed a significant impact on the household food security status. Prevalence of malnutrition (wasting, stunting and underweight) was observed to be higher among the children in the food insecure families. Household food security status was found to be increasing with the increase in the family size. The findings recommend a need to create awareness regarding the benefits of various programmes implemented by the Government to combat malnutrition and improve
the household food security
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Citation
Sharma, Priyanka (2022). Impact of mid day meal scheme on household food security in Punjab (Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.