Preparation of Ready to Use Supplementary Food for Treating Moderate Acute Malnutrition in Children Aged 6 to 59 Months

Abstract

Children with moderate malnutrition have a high risk of mortality and MAM is associated with a high number of nutrition-related deaths. If some of these children suffering from MAM do not receive adequate support, they may progress towards severe acute malnutrition (SAM), which is a life-threatening condition. Therefore, the management of MAM should be a public health priority

A well-balanced diet was prepared based on the recommendation of WHO for the treatment of moderate acute malnourished children aged 6 -59 months.  According to the formulae, nine products of RUSF were prepared using cereals, legumes, seeds, oil, sugar, and vitamin and mineral premix. Three products of RUSF MSPe, PBPe, and ISPe were found to be better among the nine products by the mothers after sensory evaluation.

Based on sensory evaluation in children, RUSF   MSPe was found to be the best among the three products. The product was analyzed for proximate composition, mineral, vitamin, digestibility of protein.  The protein, fat, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, total ash, vitamin C, Vitamin A,  iron, calcium and zinc of 100 g of the product were found to be  15.9g, 33.7g, 44.3g, 6.6g, 2.2g, 54.6 mg, 855 µg,  14.1 mg,  66.6 g and  12.4 µg respectively. The diet can supply 544.5 Kcal/100 g. The energy contributed by the protein, fat, and carbohydrate was found to be 11.68%, 55.7%, and 32.62% of total Kcals respectively. The protein digestibility adjusted to the chemical index PDCASS was 0.95.

Hence, the prepared RUSF is in accordance with the specification given by WHO which could be effective in the treatment of moderate acute malnourished children after the clinical trial.