Abstract
An interventional study was undertaken with the help of Rural India Self Development Trust, a voluntary organization and the department of community medicine, S. V. Medical College, Tirupati among 2-5 years rural children of KVB Puram, and Pichatur mandals of Chitoor district of Andhra Pradesh in the year 1992. 75gms of sprouted green gram (germinated) was distributed to 295 children (study group) and the parameters, malnutrition signs, anthropometric measurements, were assessed by initial baseline survey, 6months follow-up survey and after 1 year follow-up survey and Hb% assessment in 20% sample after 1 year of study and the results were compared with 76 children (control group). The percentage of children showing malnutrition signs such as angular stomatitis, red and raw tongue, pale conjunctiva, and pale tongue were significantly reduced. The percentage of children with grade 3 malnutrition was decreased. The study and control groups with respect to grades of malnutrition was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). There was slight reduction of anaemia. The seed is a store house of food energy intended for early growth and development of the new plant. Once the seed has sprouted, the mucus inducing property of most legumes is eliminated. Sprouts (germinating seeds) do not cause gas. Crude proteins converted into essential amino acids, much of starch is transformed into simple sugars making sprouts a predigested food. The vitamin content of the seed increases tremendously when sprouted. Sprouts are an essentially good source of Vitamin C and the B vitamins, and a good source of vitamin A and E. By sprouting the seed, its quality and quantity increase five times (1). Sprouting whole pulses makes them easier to digest and enhance their nutritive values. It also aids in iron absorption (2). Sprouts enhance iron absorption by increasing the vitamin c content, by lowering the tannin and phytic acid content (3).the activities of many enzymes amylases (4), proteases (5), cytases etc. increase on germination. There is a decrease in phytate (6).The trypsin inhibitor activity is reduced (7). As the trypsin inhibitor activity is reduced, the digestibility coefficient and biological value of the proteins increase (8). Due to the action of cytase and pectinase, the cell walls are broken and the availability of nutrients increases (9). A voluntary organization by name Rural India Self Development Trust adopted 17 villages near KVB Puram and Pichatur mandals of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh and running a balawadi center in each village approached the SPM department of S.V. Medical college, Tirupati and requested to conduct a study on sprouts as they were planning to provide supplementary feeding (sprouted green gram) to children of balawadi centers. Hence was no ethical committee in S.V. Medical College, Tirupati in the year 1992. Permission was taken from the principal and head of the Department of community medicine.
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