Peer-reviewed article
A Community-Based Mixed-Methods Study: Fish Bycatch Protein Supplementation as a Sustainable Solution for Child Malnutrition in Bengaluru, India.
Kristen P Yang, Sunil K Khanna, Angela Chaudhuri, Syama B Syam, Tammy M Bray ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study tested whether a low-cost protein supplement made from fish bycatch could help malnourished children aged 3–6 years in Bengaluru slums grow better and develop cognitive skills. Forty-six children were randomly divided into two groups: one received 10 grams of the supplement daily for 90 days, the other received caloric support only. Children who received the fish protein supplement gained weight faster, grew taller in the first month, and showed improvements in memory and thinking skills, with benefits lasting at least six months.
Key points
- Weight-for-age improved by 7.59% in the supplement group versus 0.59% in the control group
- Height gain in the first month was 1.86 cm in the supplement group, with no change in controls
- Mid-upper arm circumference (muscle growth) improved significantly in the supplement group
- Cognitive function including visual processing, short-term memory, and planning ability improved with effects sustained at six months
- Caregivers reported improvements in children's vitality, appetite, focus, and social engagement
Limitations
The study involved only 46 children from one city in India over 90 days, so findings may not apply to other settings or populations. Long-term effects beyond six months, scalability to larger populations, and sustainability of the intervention remain unknown.
Abstract
Objective: Malnutrition remains a global challenge to child development, with urban slums in India experiencing high rates of protein deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-cost, fish bycatch-derived protein supplement in supporting catch-up growth among malnourished children. Methods: Using the Sustainable Community Partnership and Empowerment (SCOPE) model, we implemented a 90-day intervention with daily 10 g of Advanced Protein Powder (APP), produced from underutilized fish bycatch. Forty-six malnourished children (aged 3-6) from Bengaluru slums were randomized into a Control group receiving caloric support or an APP supplement group. Growth indicators, cognition, and caregiver perspectives were assessed. Results: Children receiving the APP supplement showed a significant increase in the weight-for-age percentile (underweight), rising by 7.59%, compared to 0.59% in the Control group (p = 0.02185). Muscle growth, measured by mid-upper arm circumference, also improved significantly in the APP Group (p < 0.05). In the first month, APP supplementation led to a significant height gain of 1.86 cm (p < 0.001), whereas the Control group showed no change (p > 0.05). Additionally, APP supplementation enhanced cognitive function, visual processing, short-term memory, and planning ability, with sustained effects at six months (p < 0.05). Caregivers reported noticeable improvements in children's vitality, appetite, focus, and engagement in social and learning activities. Conclusions: Bycatch-derived protein supplementation, implemented through the SCOPE model, enhanced physical growth, behavior, and cognition in malnourished children in urban slums. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects, scalability, and adaptability of this sustainable solution for addressing child malnutrition.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Daily 10-gram supplement of Advanced Protein Powder produced from fish bycatch, delivered over 90 days through the SCOPE (Sustainable Community Partnership and Empowerment) model
- Population
- 46 malnourished children aged 3–6 years from slums in Bengaluru, India
Key finding
Weight-for-age percentile increased 7.59% in supplement group compared to 0.59% in control group (p = 0.02185)
Yang et al. · PubMed (US National Library of Medicine) · 22 May 2025