A Pilot Study to Assess and Compare Acceptability of an Energy-Dense Nutrient Supplement Among Moderate Underweight Children in Rural and Urban Settings of Pune, Maharashtra

Abstract

ABSTRACT We developed and tested the reliability of a digital tool to facilitate sensory evaluation (SE) of an energy-dense nutrient supplement among children and elicit their mothers’ perceptions in Phase-I. In Phase-II, SE and two-week acceptability were assessed in children from government preschools in rural and urban Pune (India). Cronbach’s alpha values of 8 and 6.8 indicated good and fairly acceptable reliability for mother and child questions, respectively. “Very-good” rating was obtained from >75% and >60% for appearance and smell, respectively. The acceptability test showed a significantly higher intake among the rural (mean = 102.0 ± 19 gm) compared to the urban children (71.14 ± 13 gm) (p < .05).