On the other hand, all the protein in the school meal supplemented the home-food protein. Similarly, the percentage of children receiving less than 75 per cent of the protein RDA was reduced from 30 to 4 per cent, and the percentage of children meeting the recommended requirement increased from 45 to 86 per cent. The number of feeding days in a school and physical measurements of the children showed a high correlation. Significant at 1 per cent level. Significant at 5 per cent level.
Values given are percentages of children in each category.
The regression analysis also supports the above evidence. In this analysis, months of participation in the programme and programme efficiency were found to be significant predictors of weight for height. Height for age was totally independent of the two programme participation variables, This finding was not surprising, as weight is an indicator of the current nutritional status and height conveys information primarily of past nutritional status. With an average of 31 months' programme participation, body weight has a better probability of being significantly improved. Apparently, the most appealing aspect of the MDM programme is its ability to satisfy hunger for the children who come to school with an empty stomach or after only a little breakfast.