The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is one of the major National Human Resource Development Programmes of the Government of India. The programme completed 18 years of its effective operational duration on 2 October 1993. During this period we have conducted various baseline surveys, multicentre longitudinal and periodic studies, and unicentre special study projects to determine the impact of the programme on the nutritional status of children aged 0 to < 6 years and evaluate the coverage of the scheme. The children with normal nutrition in ICDS blocks constituted 50 per cent of the surveyed population in 1976 in comparison to 75 per cent observed in baseline data of 1990 survey. There was a highly significant decrease in severely malnourished children from 21 per cent in 1976 to 7 per cent in 1990. The benefit of the programme was evident in all sections of the society including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward and Minority communities. The nutritional services (supplementary nutrition, Vit. A, Iron, and Folic Acid) coverage of the children increased from 25 per cent in 1976 to 53 per cent in 1985 in ICDS blocks in comparison to 42 per cent in non-ICDS blocks, while that for pregnant and lactating women increased from 17 per cent and 14 per cent in 1976 to 25 per cent and 26 per cent 1985, respectively.
A nutritional and diet survey was carried out in 2,192 persons belonging to all age groups in a rural community. Vitamin A consumption was less than the recommended daily allowance in persons of all age groups. Bitot's spots and night blindness were detected in 7.1% and 7.2% of the population, respectively. Ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency were more frequently observed in age groups above 5 years as compared to the preschool children. There was no association of vitamin A deficiency with different grades of protein-calorie malnutrition in preschool children. Kerătomalacia was extremely rare and was observed only in one child. The study suggests that the rural area studied was a high prevalence zone for vitamin A deficiency which did not have its serious consequences due to relatively adequate protein-calorie nutritional status of the population.
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