Effect of ragi (eleusine coracana) vermicelli supplementation on anemic school children

Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in children. Dietary intervention using finger millet can aid in preventing anemia among children. The study aimed at supplementing developed recipes from Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) or ragi Vermicelli on the anthropometric and hematological parameters of school children age 6 – 12 years. Pre-test Post –test design with test group (n=12) on supplementation and control group (n=12) in study period was designed. The supplementation was given for five days a week for a period of 45 days. Supplementation of Ragi vermicelli showed a significant 3.31 percent increase in the body weight (21.17 ± 3.28 to 21.83 ± 3.24 kg), as well as a 2.65 percent significant increase in the BMI (14.75 ± 1.89 to 15.15 ± 2.01 kg/m2) at the end of the supplementation period (p<0.05). No significant change in hemoglobin was observed on the 46th day. The results showed a non-significant increase in the hematological parameters. Nutrition education programme increased the knowledge and awareness of dietary iron intake among the children (p<0.001). Ragi which is rich in iron is an extremely low cost nutritious cereal and is very beneficial for maintaining a good health.