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CSIR-CFTRI highlights need for Nutrition Intervention Programme for Malnourished Children in Mysuru district
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Wednesday, 28 May, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Nandita Vijaysimha, Bengaluru
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CSIR – Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) underscores the need for alleviation of malnutrition. This time with Bank Note Paper Mill India Pvt. Ltd. (BNPM), Mysuru, as the sponsor for the project on ‘Nutrition Intervention for Malnourished Pre-School Children in Mysuru District’ under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Protein energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are major public health problems among preschool children in India. As per National Family Health Survey-5, nearly 1/3rd of the children are having low weight and height for their age and 62% of them are anaemic. These deficiencies apart from impairing growth, reduce mental ability, compromise immunity and affect metabolism. Research has shown that undernourished are at higher risk of getting non-communicable disease in their adulthood. Providing dietary interventions of the deficit nutrients would correct the nutritional status of children and is highly essential for a healthy community and nation.
This project will be executed in association with Directorate of Health & Family Welfare Services (DHFW) & Directorate of Women and Child Development Department (DWCD), Government of Karnataka. Some 600 malnourished pre-school children will be selected for this programme, out of which 500 children will be provided nutrition intervention and remaining are control set.
Micronutrient status of these children will be assessed and the malnourished children would be provided with food kit developed by CSIR-CFTRI comprising of high energy & protein products, fortified with micronutrients such as Iron, Vitamin-A and Zinc on monthly basis for a period of six months. Nutritional status would be assessed to study the impact of the intervention.
The beneficiaries of the project have been identified from Anganwadis in Mysuru district and their anthropometric & biochemical samples were collected in association with DHFW and the analysis is undergoing in collaboration with Mysore Medical College & Research Centre (MMCRI). The formal launch of the programme was held at CFTRI on May 22, 2025, wherein Thalikerappa, managing director of BNPM as the Chief Guest, B. Basavaraj, Deputy Director, DWCD & Dr. Mohammed Shiraz Ahmed, Reproductive and Child Health Officer (RCHO), DHFW were Guest of Honours. The function was presided by Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director, CSIR-CFTRI. During the function, the programme was formally launched by distributing nutrition food supplement kits to five malnourished children.
Dr. Jyothi Lakshmi, Sr. Principal Scientist, CSIR-CFTRI, explained about the programme and previous such studies undertaken by the Institute. Basavaraj, Deputy Director, DWCD, acknowledged the CFTRI nutrition intervention programme conducted previously, he mentioned that such programmes providing additional nutrient supplements are required for reducing malnutrition among children. He also mentioned such intervention programmes has to be extended to adolescent girls in tribal regions.
Dr. Mohammed Shiraz Ahmed, Reproductive and Child Health Officer (RCHO), DHFW Ahmed said such additional nutritional supplements are required for filling the gaps in the nutritional adequacies of children. He also mentioned that child undernutrition is outcome of maternal malnutrition and providing nutrition intervention to pregnant women would be good strategy for improving child nutritional status.
Thalikerappa encouraged the study pattern and anticipated a positive response from the current study based on the previous study results. Also, he assured more such programmes especially the eradication of anaemia of pregnant women, funds will be provided under CSR initiative.
Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh said that the success of previous nutrition intervention programmes undertaken at Nanjangudu, Mysuru and Purulia (West Bengal) encouraged in continuing further in such intervention programmes with higher sample size would help in validation of the model and suggesting the same for the Government for alleviation of malnutrition.
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