Protein calorie intakes and growth profiles in ashram school students in Nashik district in Maharashtra

Tribal ashram schools provide accommodation, food, and other services from 1^st to 12^th standards to children from marginalized sections of the society. Nutrition and growth are important aspects of this age group.

This study aims to estimate average macronutrient intakes in private and public ashram schools and to compare the growth of tribal with urban children and national standards.

This is a cross-sectional cluster-based study in Nashik district of Maharashtra in ashram schools with an urban day school for comparison. The study was conducted from November 2017 to February 2018. The study includes 1510 students in four rural ashram schools and 322 urban school day scholars. Daily food amounts used by the school kitchens were analyzed. Height and weight of students were recorded with standard methods. Excel was used to estimate nutrient intakes and Epi Info for analysis of growth parameters.

Protein intakes were 76.5 g/student (2.9-3.1 g/kg body weight), with staples contributing 42%-50% and legumes and pulses contributing 22%-25%. Energy intakes were 2519 kcal/student (100-120 kcal/kg body weight) with oils contributing 13%. Boys ate 1.5-2 times than girls going by average intake of Chapattis. Height and weight of students at entry and exit age, respectively, of 7 and 15 years were significantly lower than urban students, ICMR and IAP standards. However, entry-level stunting had reduced by 15 years by 40%-50% in girls and boys.

Macronutrient intakes in the ashram schoolchildren were sufficient, but growth gap persisted till adolescence. Protein quality in private schools needs improvement.