Summary:
COIMBATORE: More than 50% of children below the age of five years from tribal areas in and around Anaikatti in Coimbatore district have been found to be malnourished Many of the children in the hamlets were also found to be underweight, stunted and with various skin diseases. In some families there were more than four children making it difficult for parents to provide them healthy food.Residents of the hamlets admit that they were aware that their children needed healthier food. According to the study done by the department of community medicine of Coimbatore Medical College and PSG Institute of Medical Sciences, published in International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health in July this year, out of the 206 children studied, 105 were found malnourished. A mother would feed the child before going to work and the kid is fed again only in the evening. Vegetables, fruits and tubers must be a part of their balanced diet..