Does Anganwadi impact on the nutritional status of Children?

Abstract

Background and objective: Anganwadi Centres (commonly known as ICDS) started in 
the year 1975 mainly to fulfil the nutritional requirement of children along with essential 
integrated health services. The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of Anganwadi 
centres on nutritional status of children and their wellbeing.    
Methods: The cross-sectional data collected through National Family Health Survey is used to 
analyse the impact of Anganwadi centres along with primary data collected in Odisha. A multi
stage sampling technique was used in the recruitment of respondents from the community. Both 
bivariate and multivariate analyses have been carried out for this paper.  
Results: Over the years the proportionate of children accessing supplementary food from 
the Anganwadi/ ICDS is decreasing. Further, recent data shows that, percentage of children 
receiving food is high among poor households as compared to better off households. However, 
both bivariate and multivariate analysis result shows that there is no difference in nutritional 
status of children between ICDS covered area and non-covered area. The primary survey result 
shows the ICDS is partially effective in child healthcare and growth monitoring.   
Conclusion: There is no significant positive impact of supplementary nutrition through 
Anganwadi centres on under-nutrition status of children. However, the programme is effective in 
growth monitoring and facilitating better healthcare for children. Government of India should 
take steps for ensuring quality services and promoting Anganwadi food as supplementary to 
home food instead of complementary to home food. Then all children will access the quality 
supplementary food and it would impact in improving nutrition and overall health status of 
children.