Abstract:
Without gains in nutritional outcomes, it is unlikely that school feeding programmes (SFP) could improve cognition and academic
performance of schoolchildren despite the improvements in school enrolment. We compared the nutrient intake adequacy and Fe and
nutritional status of SFP and non-SFP participants in a cross-sectional survey involving 383 schoolchildren (aged 5–13 years). Quantitative
24 h recalls and weighed food records, repeated in 20% subsample, were used to estimate energy and nutrient intakes adjusted for
day-to-day variations. The probability of adequacy (PA) was calculated for selected micronutrients and the mean of all PA (MPA) was
calculated. The concentrations of Hb, serum ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and anthropometric measurements
were used to determine Fe and nutritional status. Energy and nutrient intakes and their adequacies were significantly higher among
SFP participants (P,0·001). The MPA of micronutrients was significantly higher among SFP participants (0·61 v. 0·18; P,0·001), and
the multiple-micronutrient-fortified corn soya blend was a key contributor to micronutrient adequacy. In SFP participants, 6 g/l higher
Hb concentrations (P,0·001) and about 10% points lower anaemia prevalence (P¼0·06) were observed. The concentration of sTfR
was significantly lower among SFP participants (11·2 v. 124 mg/l; P¼0·04); however, there was no difference in the prevalence of Fe
deficiency and Fe-deficiency anaemia between SFP and non-SFP participants. There was also no significant difference in the prevalence
of thinness, underweight and stunting. In conclusion, the present results indicate that school feeding is associated with higher intakes
and adequacies of energy and nutrients, but not with the prevalence of Fe and nutritional status indicators. The results also indicate an
important role for micronutrient-dense foods in the achievement of micronutrient adequacy within SFP.
