Effectiveness of Multiple Micro-nutrient Fortified Fudge on Nutritional Status of 3-5 Years of Age Children: A Randomize Control Trial

As per the National Nutrition Survey, 2011 anaemia (iron deficiency) affected the children severely as one in three children under the age of 5 anemic, whereas prevalence of vitamin A deficiency among children under 5 years is more than 50%, similarly Zinc deficiency children and vitamin D deficiency prevalence in children is more than 40%.

The numerous indicators of nutrition deficiencies are related to inadequately nutritious and safe food, illiteracy, malpractices along with lack of nutritional knowledge and other social and behavioral issues. A healthy and supportive nutritional status, direct toward better intellect and earning of individual, which boost the social impact and macro level change.

Childhood stunting and deficiencies in iron and iodine hamper cognitive development, school achievement and adult productivity by 2.5-19.8 percent subsequently adult anemia reduces work performance in manual labor in the agriculture area and overall resultant US$ 7.6 billion annually loss for Pakistan, which corresponds to nearly 3 percent of GDP all due to poor nutritional indicators, which are preventable. Therefore, in developing countries like Pakistan, robust need is required, to do evidence base and translational research which could be easily converted into action that improves nutritional status.

Food fortification with micro-nutrients is effective, cost-efficient and medium-term approach to improve micro-nutrient status of vulnerable groups and is sustainable once established to prevent these at cheaper cost. There is need to investigate the positive effects of multiple micronutrient administration on child development along with there is dire need for more research to investigate it comprehensively at community level.

Fortified food products such as (milk, wheat, rice, oil, and other) are already in existing strategies worldwide to prevent micro-nutrient deficiencies in society which is well established and currently there are several extensive activities are implemented to prevent these hidden hunger but required results are not achieved.