Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Impact of Sorghum Supplementation on Growth and Micronutrient Status of School Going Children in Southern India — A Randomized Trial

  • Original Article
  • Published:
The Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To study the impact of sorghum diet on growth, and micronutrient status of school going children for a period of 8 mo.

Methods

Children (n = 160 boys and n = 160 girls) aged between 9 to 12 y were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 80 in the control and n = 80 in the experimental group) to receive 60% sorghum diet and 40% of rice diet (Exp G) and regular rice diet (100%; CG). Anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and at 8 mo using standardized methods.

Results

The growth rate was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the Exp G of girls, whereas in boys it was in the CG. Hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, albumin, retinol binding protein (RBP) and iron levels were significantly improved (p < 0.05) in the Exp G of both the genders and in boys, serum folic acid and calcium levels were also improved with sorghum diet.

Conclusions

Serum micronutrient status, in terms of hemoglobin, serum folic acid, albumin, RBP, ferritin, calcium and iron can be improved with sorghum supplementation in school going children.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shobha V, Kasturiba B, Naik RK, Yenagi N. Nutritive value and quality characteristics of sorghum genotypes. Karnataka J Agri Sci. 2008;20:586–8.

    Google Scholar 

  2. David AVD. Sorghum and millets, chemistry and technology. St. Paul: American Association of Cereal Chemists, USA; 2007. p. 406.

    Google Scholar 

  3. BSTID-NRC (Board on Science and Technology for International Development-National Research Council). Lost crops of Africa. Washington DC: Academic; 1996. p. 127–213.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Glew RH, Vanderjagt DJ, Lockett C, et al. Amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral composition of 24 indigenous plants of Burkina Faso. J Food Comp Anal. 1997;10:205–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Anglani C. Sorghum for human food: a review. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1998;52:85–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Dicko MH, Gruppen H, Traoré AS, Voragen AGJ, van Berkel WJH. Sorghum grain as human food in Africa: relevance of content of starch and amylase activities. Afr J Biotech. 2006;5:384–95.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Ciacci C, Maiuri L, Caporaso N, et al. Celiac disease: in vitro and in vivo safety and palatability of wheat free sorghum food products. Clin Nutr. 2007;26:799–805.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Awika JM, Rooney LW. Sorghum phytochemicals and their potential impact on human health. Phytochemistry. 2004;65:1199–221.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Pontieri P, Mamone G, De Caro S, et al. Sorghum, a healthy and gluten-free food for celiac patients as demonstrated by genome, biochemical, and immunochemical analyses. J Agric Food Chem. 2013;61:2565–71.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Austin LD, Turner ND, McDonough CM, Rooney LW. Effects of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] crude extracts on starch digestibility, estimated glycemic index (EGI) and resistant starch (RS) contents of porridges. Molecules. 2012;17:11124–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Diaz JR, de las Cagigas A, Rodriguez R. Micronutrient deficiencies in developing and affluent countries. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2003;57:S70–2.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Thurlow RA, Winichagoon P, Pongcharoen T, et al. Risk of zinc, iodine and other micronutrient deficiencies among school children in North East Thailand. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006;60:623–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hamaker BR, Kirles AW, Mertz ET, Axtell JD. Effect of cooking on the protein profile and in vitro digestibility of sorghum and maize. J Agric Food Chem. 1986;34:647–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Duodu KG, Taylor JRN, Belton PS, Hamaker BR. Factors affecting sorghum protein digestibility. J Cereal Sci. 2003;38:117–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Bach LA, Sharpe K. Sample size for clinical and biological research. Aust N Z J Med. 1989;19:64–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Thimmayamma BVS, Rao DH. A comparative study of oral questionnaire method with actual observation of the dietary intake of preschool children. J Nutr Diet. 1969;6:177–81.

    Google Scholar 

  17. WHO. AnthroPlus for personal computers Manual: Software for assessing growth of the world’s children and adolescents. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO; 2009. Available at http://www.who.int/growthref/tools/en/.

  18. Lakshmidevi N, Usharani M, Umadevi K, Kalpana K. Evaluation of jowar supplementation in MDM program on growth and nutritional status of school going children in three regions of Andhra Pradesh, India. Asian J Dairy Food Res. 2013;32:241–5.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Schmid MS, Salomeyesudus B, Satheesh P, Hanley J, Kuhnlein H. Intervention with traditional food as a major source of energy, protein, iron, vitamin C and vitamin A for rural Dalit mothers and young children in Andhra Pradesh, South India. Asai Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16:84–93.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. MacLeon Jr WC, Lopez de Romana G, Placko RP, Graham GG. Protein quality and digestibility of sorghum in preschool children: balance studies and plasma free amino acids. J Nutr. 1981;111:1928–36.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Wong JH, Lau T, Cai N, et al. Digestibility of protein and starch from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is linked to biochemical and structural features of grain endosperm. J Cereal Sci. 2009;49:73–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Afify Ael-M, El-Beltagi HS, El-Salam SM, Omran AA. Bioavailability of iron, zinc, phytate and phytase activity during soaking and germination of white sorghum varieties. PLoS One. 2011;6:e25512.

  23. Sandberg AS, Brune M, Carlsson NG, Hallberg L, Skoglund E, Rossander-Hulthen L. Inositol phosphates with different numbers of phosphate groups influence iron absorption in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;70:240–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. MacLean WC Jr, López de Romaña G, Gastañaduy A, Graham GG. The effect of decortication and extrusion on the digestibility of sorghum by preschool children. J Nutr. 1983;113:2071–7.

  25. Lakshmidevi N, Usharani M. Feasibility in introducing jowar in mid-day meal programmes: a study in three regions of Andhra Pradesh. Indian J Social Work. 2012;73:601–6.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Department of District Education, and the school authorities, Wanaparthy, Mahbubnagar District, Andhra Pradesh, India. A special thanks to Mrs. Chinnamma Thomas, Wanaparthy, Mahbubnagar District, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Contributions

RPMP: Proposal writing, study design, study approval, data collection, analysis and report writing; DB: Proposal writing, grant approval, study design, study approval, data analysis and report writing; KK: Study design, data analysis and report writing; VRM: Design and statistical analysis; RM: Study design and data collection; JVP: Grant approval, study design, study approval, data analysis and report writing.

Conflict of Interest

None.

Source of Funding

National Agriculture Innovation Project (NAIP) funded for the project “Creation of demand for millets through PCS value chain” to revive the demand for millets, which was an initiative led by the Directorate of Sorghum Research, Hyderabad led consortium.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India

    Rajendra Prasad MP, Radhika Madhari & Vishnuvardhan Rao M

  2. Directorate of Sorghum Research, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad, India

    Dayakarrao Benhur, Kalpana Kommi & J. V. Patil

Authors
  1. Rajendra Prasad MP
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dayakarrao Benhur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kalpana Kommi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Radhika Madhari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Vishnuvardhan Rao M
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. J. V. Patil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dayakarrao Benhur.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Prasad MP, R., Benhur, D., Kommi, K. et al. Impact of Sorghum Supplementation on Growth and Micronutrient Status of School Going Children in Southern India — A Randomized Trial. Indian J Pediatr 83, 9–14 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-015-1782-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-015-1782-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation