A study conducted amongst 634 school-going children, drawn equally from the various socio-economic classes, found that up to 95% could be at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake, with almost 70% at risk of having insufficient intake of four or more micronutrients . The intake of nutrients that were most inadequate in the Bangalore study was vitamin A, folate, vitamin b12 and iron, leaving children susceptible to stunting, weakened immune systems impaired cognitive function, anaemia, low energy levels and other devastating effects of hidden hunger.
A pediatric study in Mumbai of 111 urban affluent mothers found that more than half were unable to tell if their children were under or overweight, and attributed this to Indian mothers’ general perception of a chubby baby as healthy.
Micronutrient deficiency, also known as hidden hunger, is the key underlining issue and can be explained as inadequate intake of crucial vitamins and minerals IJ such as zinc, vitamin A and folate IJ which are needed for healthy mental and physical growth of children.
Parents can also look out for fortified foods and drinks, which have been consistently ranked as the top investments to make in a child’s development. A study by the Indian National Institute of Nutrition concluded that supplementation of daily diet with a beverage fortified with a range of micronutrients significantly improved physical growth and attention and concentration scores among urban schoolchildren.