Impact of supplementation of drumstick and amaranth leaves powder on nutritional status of postmenopausal women

Menopause is associated with a wide variety of physical and psychological symptoms. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of supplementation of drumstick leaves powder (DLP) and amaranth leaves powder (ALP) on food intake and anthropometric measurements in postmenopausal women. 90 postmenopausal women were selected and divided into 3 groups viz. Group I, II and III having 30 subjects in each group. The subjects of group II and III were supplemented with 7g DLP and 9g ALP per day respectively for a period of three months. The subjects of group I was not given supplementation. Dietary intake of the subjects for 3 consecutive days by 24 hr recall method was recorded before and after the experiment period. The average daily nutrient intake of the diets was calculated by using MSU Nutriguide. Anthropometric parameters were calculated before and after supplementation. Mean daily intake of green leafy vegetables (GLV), roots and tubers, other vegetables and fruits was inadequate, whereas mean daily consumption of cereals, pulses, milk and milk products, fats and oils and sugar and jaggery was more than the suggested intake after supplementation. A significant decrease in intake of energy (1.40% and 1.53%), carbohydrate (2.39% and 5.23%), protein (3.38% and 4.42%), total fat (0.17% and 5.12%) and significant increase in intake of fibre (15.48% and 14.31%) was observed in group II and III after supplementation. A significant decrease in weight (1.4% and 2.5%), BMI (1.5% and 2.5%), MUAC (5.2% and 5.8%), TSFT (8.2% and 6.2%) and WHR (1.1% and 1.2%) was observed in group II and III after supplementation. Significant change in food intake and anthropometric parameters indicated that consumption of DLP and ALP helps in improvement of nutritional status among postmenopusal women.