Dietary survey of Sri Lankan pre-school children and the potential role of leaf concentrate supplementation

Abstract

A three-day weighed dietary survey of 182 randomly selected Sri Lankan pre-school children attending Sarvodaya nursery schools was undertaken in 1989. The survey was part of a larger study of the possible effect of leaf concentrate supplementation on child growth and morbidity. The children were from low income families. Intakes of energy, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid and folic acid were calculated and compared to FAO/WHO recommended dietary allowances. The main dietary inadequacies were of zinc, niacin and vitamin A, and to a lesser extent, riboflavin, calcium and energy. Leaf concentrate supplementation may ameliorate deficits in vitamin A intake, and partly offset deficits in riboflavin and zinc intake. Alternative sources of vitamin A were widely available but were under-utilised. The main staple foods in this age group were rice, imported wheat and dried whole milk.