Nutrition, Health and Well-being

DPT stands for Diphtheria, Pertusis and Tetanus. OPV stands for Oral Polio Vaccine. BCG stands for Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (anti-TB).

Diarrhoea causes the body to lose water and electrolytes. This depletion of fluids from the body leads to dehydration.

The mother's health and nutrition are important because the infant depends mainly on breast milk in the early months. If the mother is well nourished, her milk provides the required nutrients in adequate amounts. The chapter says the baby thrives well if the mother is well nourished, and the mother should eat a diet rich in protein, calcium and iron and take enough fluids to avoid malnutrition. This helps prevent deficiency diseases in the infant.

Complementary foods can be classified as low-cost complementary foods prepared from locally available cereals, pulses, groundnut, jaggery and similar ingredients. Examples given in the chapter are Indian multipurpose flour, malt food, balahar, win food, poshak, amutham and amritham. These are prepared from roasted local cereals and mixed in suitable proportions, then seasoned and fortified with vitamins and calcium.

For 4–6 years, the table gives Energy = 1690 kcal. A four-year-old child falls in this age group, so the required energy is 1690 kcal.

In preschool children, these nutrients are important because:

- Iodine prevents iodine deficiency disorders such as goitre.
- Iron is needed to prevent anaemia.
- Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth.
- Protein supports growth and body building.

The chapter also notes that lack of protein, vitamin A and iron can lead to PEM, xerophthalmia and anaemia.

The three aspects are variety, balance and moderation.

Snacks are important because preschoolers find it hard to eat enough in only three meals. Healthy snacks in between meals provide the calories and nutrients they need. Snack time is also a good time to introduce new foods, and snacks can be useful in the school tiffin as well.

MMR stands for Measles, Mumps and Rubella.