Effect of Micronutrient Fortified Biscuit Supplementation on the Weight, Height and BMI of Adolescent Girls

A study was designed to determine the effect of supplementation of biscuits with and without micronutrients on the weight and height of adolescent girls (N=107) in the age group of 10 to 16 years studying in a government school in Jaipur city. Data on weights and heights were collected using standardized techniques. Hundred grams of biscuits furnishing 497 kcal and 11.36 g of protein per day for all working days in a 4 month period was provided to the control group (N=54); and 100 g of biscuits fortified with one RDA levels of vitamin A, iron, folic acid, vitamin C and iodine was provided to the experimental group (N=53). Supplementation with biscuits resulted in significant weight gains of 1.85 kg and 2.00 kg in the control and experimental groups, respectively. As per weight for age, the increments in the normal category was from 27.8% to 40.7% in adolescent girls of the control group and from 34.0% to 45.3% in those of the experimental group. There was statistically significant improvement in the mean BAIL as well as in various grades of chronic energy deficiency, after intervention. In conclusion, intervention with biscuits with and without nutrients resulted in significant improvements in weight gain and BMI.