Effects of weaning biscuits on the nutritional profile and the cognitive development in preschool children

Abstract

AimTo study the effect of weaning biscuits supplementation of the nutritional parameters and cognitive performance of the selected children.MethodsThree primary schools situated in Salem District, Tamilnadu, India were selected. A total number of 150 school children, 61 from primary school I, 46 from primary school II and 43 from primary school III comprised the study sample. About 80 primary school children with Grade II malnutrition were selected for the experimental study. Home diet without any supplementation was followed by Group I (n = 20, control group), potato flour biscuit was supplemented to Group II (n = 20), wheat biscuits was given to Group III (n = 20) and ragi biscuits were given to Group IV (n = 20) for the period of 3 months. Parameters like anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin content clinical picture and cognitive performance were analyzed before and after supplementation.ResultsResults about Group I (control group) showed no significant difference in height, weight and clinical picture and cognitive performance after three months on their home diet. In Group II, III and IV significant increase in all the above parameters was noticed. More increase was found in Group II children supplemented with potato flour biscuits for a period of 3 months. About cognitive performance better results was obtained in Group II followed by Group III (supplemented with wheat biscuits) and Group IV (supplemented with ragi biscuits). Least was obtained by control group children who are in their home diet.ConclusionAll these observations evident that if such weaning biscuits made with potato flour, wheat and Ragi can form a daily ingredient in their diets, it will bring out better all round development of the children.

Study of Effect of Cowpea Biscuits Supplementation on Nutritional and Cognitive Development of Malnourished Pre-school Children

“…The interesting finding in the present study was that after 3 months of providing cowpea supplemented biscuits to the children from experimental group, they improved significantly on all the domains of cognitive development in comparison to those for control II and control I group. The findings of the present study are in line with that of Nazni et al, who reported that after three months supplementation of potato flour biscuits, cognitive performance was good in the supplemented group children as compared to the control group [20]. Similarly, supplementation of multiple-micronutrient-fortified fruit powder beverage for 16 weeks showed significant improvements in cognitive performance [21].…”

Wheat Belly—An Analysis of Selected Statements and Basic Theses from the Book

“…In contrast, increased serotonin is associated with a sense of well-being and elevates mood. Wheat biscuits added to the diets of malnourished Indian primary school-aged children actually improved cognitive ability (37).…”

Finger Millet: A “Certain” Crop for an “Uncertain” Future and a Solution to Food Insecurity and Hidden Hunger under Stressful Environments

“…Studies conducted by Pradhan et al (2010) on male and female diabetic patients spread across different rural and urban locations, also showed that the glucose level was maintained after consuming multigrain chapati of finger millet and wheat in a ratio of 30:70. Another study by Nazni et al (2010) showed the positive impact of weaning biscuits supplements on the nutritional aspects and cognitive functions of children. Finger millet is gluten free and hence can be a boon for patients suffering from celiac disease (Pagano, 2006) as a strict gluten-free diet is currently the only treatment for this disease.…”