Assessing the Impact of Different Diets/Nutritional Supplements on the Growth and Development of Children at Anganwadi Centres: A Quasi-Randomised Study

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge globally, particularly affecting children in low- and middle-income countries like India.

Objectives: To assess the impact of different diets/nutritional supplements provided to children at Anganwadi centers on their growth and development.

Methods: This was an analytical study – quasi randomized study design conducted by the Department of Paediatrics, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India between July 2023 and June 2024. The children going to Anganwadi centers regularly were included in the intervention arm (provided they attended the Anganwadi centers on at least 80% of the past 6 months; or they utilized the diets/nutritional supplements provided by the Anganwadi centers on at least 80% of the past 6 months); and children never attended or receiving diets/nutritional supplements (not enrolled in the Anganwadi center for any benefits) provided by the Anganwadi centers were included in the control arm of the study.

Results: The study involved 100 participants evenly split between an intervention and a control group. Both groups had similar demographics in terms of age, gender distribution, and socioeconomic status. Participants in the intervention group exhibited significantly better growth outcomes, including weight gain (3.2 kg vs. 2.5 kg), height gain (4.1 cm vs. 3.5 cm), and BMI increase (0.9 kg/m² vs. 0.7 kg/m²), compared to the control group. Developmentally, the intervention group showed higher scores on cognitive, language, motor, social-emotional skills, adaptive behavior, and lower ASQ scores, indicating better overall developmental outcomes compared to the control group. Furthermore, participants in the intervention group reported fewer illnesses (mean 3.5) compared to the control group (mean 4.2), suggesting the intervention's potential in reducing illness incidence.

Conclusion: These results underscore the intervention's positive impact on both physical growth and developmental milestones among participants.