A Study on Nutrient Analysis of Mid-Day Meal

Abstract

The Mid Day Meal Scheme initiated by the Government of India is the largest school feeding programme in the world with an aim of providing hot cooked nutritious meal to school students of government schools and government aided centres. The present study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional content of the mid day meal as one of the major objective of this scheme is to improve nutritional status of school going children. The study also focused on the hygienic practices in school among students, cook cum helpers and the lunch area surroundings. Sample of rice and dal with peas and potatoes mid day meal was collected from a government school 5 gms of each sample was sent to a laboratory in a dehydrated form to carry out to assess the major nutrient content which included carbohydrate, protein and fat. Observation method was implied to check the hygienic conditions. News about the MDM scheme was kept under track for a period of three months to understand the consequences of the scheme. The study findings suggested that although there is are standard nutritional norms for the MDM, the calorie content of the given sample did not meet the standards both for primary and upper primary students, it was less by 16% and 22% respectively. The protein content was met because of addition of green peas in the dal. 100 gms of dal gave 39% protein, 59% carbohydrate and 2% fat and 100 grams of rice gave 87% carbohydrate and 13% protein with NIL fat. The one third RDA of 10-12 year old children was compared to the complete meal nutrient content which resulted in inadequate carbohydrates and fat for both girls and boys. However the protein requirement was met successfully. The fat content in the meal increased when an egg was provided in lunch on alternate days of the week, yet it did not meet the adequate one third of the day fat requirement. Hygienic conditions were observed to be poor with no proper lunch area, no use of gloves and head covers by the food handlers. When the news was kept in check majority of it was reported to be complaints regarding the MDMS be it either unhygienic practices, students falling ill after its consumption or irregular delivery of meals.