Follow-up and outcome measurement
During the intervention phase, a health teaching reinforcement was made by the researcher to the mothers during monthly mothers’ meetings at the Anganwadi centers. The queries of the mothers were answered and suggestions were provided when the children had any problems. The diary maintained by the mothers on nutritious diet preparation and dietary practices was checked during the follow-up. The follow-up sessions also enquired about the health and sickness of the children; provided them with appropriate suggestions.An Outcome assessor, a trained qualified nurse who was blinded about the study group, performed the assessment of the growth parameters of the children. The weight was tested every month for a year (12 months), and height was tested at 6 months and 12 months of the intervention. The same procedure was followed for the control group, meeting mothers and checking weight and height.