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Session: Nutritional Disparity and Efficacy/Effectiveness of Interventions/Programs in Children in Low-Income Countries (Oral 25)

(OR25-07-24) A Diet Optimization Tool for the Supplementary Nutrition Program of Women and Children in India

Monday, July 1, 2024

3:12 PM – 3:24 PM CT

Location: W184

Presenting Author(s)

Tinku Thomas, PhD (she/her/hers)

Professor
St. John's Medical College
Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

AA

Ashikh Ahamed

St John's Research Institute, India
SA

Sandra Albert

Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, India
FA

Fathima Ayoob

St John's Research Institute, India
GB

Gowri Bhatnagar

St John's Research Institute, India
SB

Srirangam Ananthavittalarao Brinda

National Institute of Nutrition, India
HG

Hemangini Gandhi

Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India
SG

Suparna Ghosh-Jerath

The George Institute for Global Health India, India
AK

Afsal Kn

St John's Research Institute, India
AK

Anura V. Kurpad, Prof, MBBS, PhD

Professor
St. John's Medical College
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
RM

Radhika Madhari

National Institute of Nutrition, India
JM

Jawahar Manivannan

St John's Research Institute, India
PM

Pulkit Mathur, Dr.

Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi
AM

Ankita Mondal

St John's Research Institute, India
VN

Vanisha S. Nambiar, Dr

Professor
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda
vadodara, Gujarat, India
SQ

Syed Zahiruddin Quazi

Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, India
HS

Harshpal s. Sachdev

Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research
MS

Melari Shisha Nongrum

Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, India
LV

Lalita Verma

Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, India

Objectives: To develop a user-friendly web-based application utilizing mathematical modelling to generate context-specific Supplementary Nutrition food recommendations to meet program guidelines on macro and micro-nutrient composition, while adhering to the budgetary constraints.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in across 29 States of India including information on the type of supplementary nutrition provided beneficiaries, details of the foods and cyclic menu, food prices and micronutrient supplementation. Additional information was collected from mothers of young children on locally prepared recipes. Data was obtained electronically with pre-tested questionnaires. The collected recipes from each State were standardised and used in linear programming to minimize cost. Relevant constraints on portion sizes, nutrient and budget were added as necessary.

Results: A web-based interface (www.datatools.sjri.res.in) was developed to enable users to design hot cooked meals and take home rations that meet the nutrient provisions of the beneficiaries at the lowest possible cost using locally available ingredients. The portal provides locality-specific recommendations based on user selected ingredients, enabling formulation of recommendations based on the availability and accessibility of ingredients locally. The portal provides visualization of the percentage nutrients met, food group distribution, cost contribution of each food, fostering informed decision-making in designing supplementary nutrition. The tool also allows for inclusion of additional ingredients, recipes, modification of ingredients costs and nutrient requirements.

Conclusions: The web-based interface developed in this study will enable government officials and decision makers to design context-specific dietary recommendations that could meet nutrient macro and micro-nutrient guidelines while conforming to the budget allocated by the government for the program. The study presents a way-forward for addressing malnutrition in the country.

Funding Sources: WHO-India