COVID-19 or otherwise, educational institutions need to ensure that school children are nurtured and nurtured
With the reduction in COVID-19 cases in the country, many establishments, including schools, are reopening. While the reopening of all schools is underway, the festive season and the fact that children are not yet under the immunization drive are raising apprehensions. We, as a society, must focus on nurturing children to ensure that they are equipped with good immunity as they prepare to face new challenges, especially after stepping out of the confines of their homes. . However, it is important to remember that even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, India was facing significant nutritional challenges. Therefore, there is a need to focus on child nutrition, using the novel coronavirus pandemic to better understand the current nutritional and nutritional requirements for a healthy body and mind.
Tackling India’s triple burden
India is facing many problems of malnutrition and overweight/obesity along with deficiency of micronutrients like iron, zinc, calcium and many vitamins. This triple burden of malnutrition has to be recognised, understood and addressed. This is especially important in the case of children and adolescents because during these stages of life we see the rapid growth of the body and the development of food habits. Childhood and adolescence are two combined periods of continuous growth and development – one uninterrupted period. For example, between two and 10 years of age, children tend to increase in height by an average of 6-7 cm and weight by 1.5 to 3 kg per year. But especially, when the growth spurt occurs in girls around 10–12 years of age and during adolescence in boys after two years, their nutritional needs increase significantly. In the case of girls, their nutritional status affects not only their health but the health of future generations. Malnutrition in any form can put children and adolescents at risk of weakened immune function, making them more vulnerable to infection.
social situation
To understand and boost their immunity, one needs to understand the disruptive social environmental factors that affect diet quality. In urban as well as middle class and affluent communities, restricted movement, limited socialization and even decreased physical contact have become the new normal. COVID-19 isolation and fatigue have led to generalized stress, increasing the immune challenge for children. These challenges, as well as the lack of dietary diversity, endangers their health by compromising the child’s immunity and making them vulnerable to infections. . Therefore, the way we approach nutrition needs to change.
need for a balanced diet
It is essential to look beyond the minimum caloric requirements and ensure that children consume a balanced diet with sufficient variety to ensure the required balance of all essential nutrients. Providing children with a balanced diet rich in all essential nutrients provides them with a solid foundation for an active and healthy life. Often overlooked, micronutrients are essential for the production of enzymes, hormones and other substances for good immune function, healthy growth and development. Each stage of the body’s immune response depends on the presence of several micronutrients. To tackle hidden hunger, affordable, accessible and varied food sources should be made available across India. Micronutrients that are mainly available in fruits, vegetables, greens, nuts, legumes and whole grains play an important role in enhancing native and adaptive immune function and also aid in the formation of ‘immune memory’. Adequate intake of about 300-500 grams of fresh fruits and vegetables per day per child is recommended depending on the age group. These along with yogurt and nuts can increase beneficial probiotic bacteria in the gut. But it is better to help them choose fresh fruit rather than fruit juice. Well-cooked meat/poultry and sea fish are great for protein; Marine fish also provide essential fats. About 300ml-400ml of milk or yogurt can provide essential calcium, good quality protein and other nutrients.
Among urban and affluent groups, frequent chewing of high-calorie snacks and sugary beverages, which are devoid of beneficial nutrients, should be discouraged. However, fats shouldn’t be viewed as the villain – children and teens need about 25g-50g a day, which should ideally be obtained from no more than two varieties of oils. Maintaining ideal body weight, regular physical activity, adequate water intake, adequate sleep and less screen time can go a long way in building and regulating their immunity.
editorial | Meals Failed: On Child Malnutrition and the Mid-Day Meal
lunch plan
Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana (PM POSHAN) – the mid-day meal program in its new avatar – is geared to a wider base for pre-primary level students or even children of government and government aided primary schools. With primary and upper primary school children who are already covered under the mid-day meal programme. PM nutrition envisages providing 450 kcal of energy and 12 g of protein for primary; 700 kcal and 20 g protein for upper primary children through dietary variation. In addition, there is a constant monitoring of the hemoglobin level of schoolchildren, the appointment of nutritionists to ensure hemoglobin and growth status; Focusing on nutrients are all welcome steps as we prepare to reopen schools. In addition, special provision for nutritional items for children in districts with high prevalence of anemia and participation of women from Farmer Producer Organizations and Self Help Groups will strengthen mobilization and convergence for promotion of child nutrition.
COVID-19 or no COVID-19, good immunity will lay the foundation for long-term well-being. After all, good nutrition, safe eating and a positive lifestyle are the cornerstones of great immune function. To be sure, when schools reopen, they should have the opportunity to teach nutrition as a life skill rather than as a rhetorical pedagogy. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our children are nurtured and nurtured.
Dr. Subbarao M. Gavaravarapu is Scientist E and Head of Nutrition Information, Communication and Health Education (NICHE) Division at Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), Hyderabad. Dr. Hemlata R. Director, ICMR-NIN, Hyderabad
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