Nutritional adequacy of diets in selected hostel messes

Abstract

A study entitled "Nutritional adequacy of diets in selected hostel messes" was undertaken to assess the personal characteristics, dietary habits, foods expenditure pattern, frequency use of various foods,food preference, percapita availability of foods, actual food intake, nutrient intake, percapita availability of nutrient, energy intake and energy expenditure, nutritional status of the inmatesand nutritional status index of selected inmates in the hostels. The average food expenditure pattern of the inmates in the three hostels revealed that the MCLH spent more money when compared to other two hostels. On analysing the personal characteristics of inmates it was observed that the inmates of the hostel will exposed to mass media by reading newspapers, magazines and weeklies. Viewing of television programme was also found to be more popular among the inmates than listening to the radio programme. Dietary habits of inmates were assessed and revealed that the respondents were non vegetarian. Cereals, pulses, vegetables, green leafy

2 vegetables, roots and tubers, milk, fish, fats and oils, sugar and spices were found to be high frequently used foods among the inmates in the three hostels. At the same time fruit, milk and egg were less frequently used food among the inmates in the three hostels. The inmates liked • fried foods and sweet preparations. Consumption of cereals, pulses, other vegetables, roots and tubers, milk, fish and meat were above the recommended dietary allowances (R.D.A) and nutrients such as calorie, protein, calcium, retinol, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin 'C' were comparatively higher in comparison with R.D.A. But the use of iron was less in comparison with R.D.A. Energy intake and energy expenditure of inmates were surveyed and indicated that majority of the inmates spent less energy when compared with energy intake. Weight for age and height for age of inmates were below the NCHS standards. Waist I Hip ratio of inmates were found to be normal. Mid upper arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness of inmates in the three hostels were assessed and found that only few inmates were found to be normal. Anaemia, dental caries and thyroid enlargement were the most common clinical manifestations among the inmates in the three hostels. Normal haemoglobin level was noticed only in negligible inmates. The nutritional status index of the inmates in AGCLH were better than the inmates in other two hostels.