Acceptability of Amylase Rich Flour Enriched Alternate Feed for the Nutritional Rehabilitation of Severe Acute Malnourished Children

¹ Research Scholar, Sharda School of Allied Health Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. Nutritionist, lady Hardinge Medical College and associated Kalawati Saran Children Hospital, New Delhi
² Director Professor, department of Paediatrics, Lady Hardinge medical college and associated Kalawati Saran Children Hospital New Delhi
³ Assistant Professor, department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Sharda School of Allied Health Sciences, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
⁴ Assistant Professor, Department of Food Technology, Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi, India

^* Corresponding Author: aditi.rikhari@sharda.ac.in

Abstract

Severe acute malnutrition is still a rising problem in India. Its management among the young children calls for immediate attention for preventing higher risk of illnesses and chances of death in them. Use of ready-to-use therapeutic food recommended by WHO has found to be an effective strategy for the recovery of SAM children. However, formulation of cost-effective and nutritionally enriched alternative feeds in accordance with these ready to use therapeutic foods can be beneficial in providing more alternative options for the greater number of children suffering from SAM. An alternative feed in the present study was formulated by the incorporation of wheat-based amylase rich flour. The acceptability of the feed was analysed in comparison with the special feed being provided at the Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), Kalawati Saran Children Hospital, New Delhi. The subjects were SAM children belonging to 6-59 months of age admitted in the hospital. A total number of 80 subjects with 40 each in control and experimental group were included for the study. The acceptability of the alternative feed was better when compared to special feed. Additionally, it is beneficial in terms of being nutritionally enriched, having better digestibility and increased bio-availability of amino-acids and mineral absorption.