Supplementation Studies with Soy Protein Isolate Based Food Mix on 1-2 Year Old Malnourished Children-II Improvements in the Biochemical, Clinical and Cognitive Profiles

Abstract

Nutrition of the early childhood is of paramount importance because the foundation for life time health, strength and intellectual vitality is laid during this period. In India, Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) among children under five years still constitutes a major public health problem. Poor infant feeding and weaning practices are major contributory factors in malnutrition especially among the under fives. Weaning diets of the low income families are often cereal gruels or regular family diet with or without small quantities of pulses thus inadequate in both calories and proteins. As a result, prevalence of PEM along with other micronutrient deficiencies is the order of the day. Soy being an excellent source of both calories and good quality protein along with other micronutrients can in a large measure help formulation of nutrient dense weaning and supplementary foods that can be recommended for consumption if mitigation of PEM is the concern.