Nutritional Impact of Millet-based Foods on Pregnant and Nursing Women from Anganwadi Centers in Mahabubnagar

Background: In 1975, the Government of India initiated the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. The Supplementary Nutrition Program (SNP) under the ICDS provides meals to pregnant and nursing women at Anganwadi centres (AWCs) to improve their nutritional status. Aim: The current interventional study focused on identifying nutritional impact of millet-based foods (such as millet health mix, millet energy bars, finger millet cutlets, and finger millet biscuits) pre- and postintervention on weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and hemoglobin of pregnant women and nursing mothers. Methods: Pregnant (n = 22) and nursing women (n = 16) from four AWCs of Gangapur village, Mahabubnagar, Telangana voluntarily participated in this study. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS and P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean weight gain for pregnant women was 3.63 ± 5.29 kg with mean hemoglobin improvement of 0.5 ± 1.30 g/dL. Similarly, the mean weight gain for nursing women was 3.0 ± 6.00 kg and mean hemoglobin improvement of 0.9 ± 1.60 g/dL. A paired t test analysis revealed statistically significant change in weight (P = 0.001, P = 0.002) and BMI (P = 0.001, P =0.004) pre- and postintervention at 95% CI, indicating a positive impact of these millet-based foods on weight and BMI. Conclusion: Since these millet-based foods have a positive impact on the nutritional status of pregnant women, it is recommended that these foods be incorporated into the SNP Program for ICDS beneficiaries.