Background: According to the International Year of Millets 2023, millets are incredible ancestral, nutrient-rich, climate-resilient grains recognized for their role in preventing malnutrition. However, their consumption among young children remains low due to changing food preferences and limited awareness. This study evaluates the nutritional impact of millet-based interventions among children aged two to six years in rural and tribal regions of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Objectives: To assess millet consumption and nutritional status at baseline, identify socio-demographic determinants of undernutrition and to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-led millet recipe intervention ("Mother's Kitchen") on improving dietary intake and growth outcomes.
Methods: A cohort-based survey was conducted among 345 children across Rayalaseema, Uttar Andhra, and Coastal Andhra. Maternal, demographic, and dietary data were collected using structured questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recall (three non-consecutive days), and anthropometric indices using the WHO Anthro software. This involved a 12-week community-led intervention (Mother's Kitchen) involving weekly hands-on millet recipe demonstrations. Data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 29; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The proportion of children consuming millets increased from 90 (26.2%) to 135 (39.4%). The prevalence of underweight decreased from 120 (35.0%) to 73 (21.3%) (p < 0.001). Children whose mother attended ≥7 sessions had 61% millet consumption, compared with 32.7% for <7 sessions, and a lower prevalence of underweight (RR = 0.673). Socioeconomic status, maternal education, early marriage, breastfeeding practices, and tribal residence were significantly associated with malnutrition.
Conclusion: Millet-based dietary interventions, when delivered through culturally relevant and community-led strategies, significantly improve dietary intake and reduce undernutrition among children. Integrating millets into the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, mid-day meals, and Public Distribution System programs, along with maternal nutrition education, can sustainably enhance child growth outcomes.
Keywords: community intervention; millets; preschool children; ragi; undernutrition.
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