Dietary Habits and Beta Carotene Rich Food Intakes of Children (6-12 Years of Age) Participating in the Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Nutritious Meal Programme for Children

Vitamin A deficiency has been one of the major controllable public health and nutritional problems in India. An estimated 5-7% children suffer from eye signs of vitamin A deficiency. There has been a gradual decline in the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in India due to the introduction of many intervention programmes. Recent findings suggest that vitamin A deficiency probably increases morbidity and mortality in children. A short term strategy of prophylaxis programme administering mega doses of vitamin A to the preschoolers on periodic basis in the country is being carried out in India. However, this cannot be a long term solution. Therefore it is imperative to create public awareness among all age groups to supplement dietary vitamin A through effective nutrition education. One of the effective channels for imparting nutrition education is school meal programme for children.