Author(s): Malay Kumar Patsa and Pamela Banerjee

Abstract:
To know food consumption pattern and nutrient intake of rural primary school children, a cross sectional study was carried out on 238 children (7-9 years) of Bankura district, West Bengal. Using a pre-tested schedule, dietary data was collected by 24-hours diet recall method and food consumption frequency was recorded in terms of frequency of meals, timing of meals and food groups. The mean nutrient intake was then calculated and compared with recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for children by t-test. The p value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. From this study it was found that most of the children (63.71% boys and 63.16% girls) consumed meals thrice a day. After comparing intake with requirement, it was found that the intake of energy and all nutrients (except carbohydrate) by the children (both boys and girls) are significantly lower than the requirement. There was no significant difference between intake and requirement of carbohydrate of the children. From this study it can be concluded that the primary school children of the study area consumed inadequate energy and most of the macro and micro nutrients which in turn affect the nutritional status of the children.

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