Assessment of Food Consumption Pattern of Rural School Children of Arwal District in Bihar

Background: The dietary and nutrition transition in rural areas, influenced by improved agricultural practices and food processing techniques, has led to imbalanced nutrient intake among children, impacting health profiles. This study explores the changing dietary patterns among rural school children in Arwal district, Bihar. The research aims to observe the consumption of various food items and their timely practices within households. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire among 154 rural school children which is randomly selected in Arwal district. Result: Results indicate that the majority of participants (55.19%) belong to the 18-21 age group. Timely consumption of green vegetables, tea and coffee is prevalent among participants. However, variations exist in the consumption of cereals, dal, rice and other food items. The study reveals that dietary diversity among rural school children is generally low, with 48.70% falling within the 4-5 DDS range.