Biscuit-eating children seem "more alert and attentive"

Biscuit-eating children seem "more alert and attentive"

EAT MORE MILK. Working with an orphanage run by the Hope For Children Foundation, researcher Richard Nasra has demonstrated the benefits of specially formulated Arnott's milk biscuits for Ethiopian children affected by AIDS. Measurements of their physical progress (bottom left photo) and observations of their smiles all indicate a marked improvement in physical and emotional health -- and an appetite for the delicious, nutritious "bikkies."

In March, the biscuits were baked and packed at the Marleston bakery. After unexpected shipping delays, trials began in October at an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in conjunction with the Hope for Children Foundation.

The 145 HIV-positive children, between the ages of 5 and 10, were divided into two groups: a control group would remain on the diet set by the orphanage in collaboration with the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Institute, while the treatment group also would receive five biscuits per day, five days per week. The children in the treatment group, though sick and often weak, literally ate the biscuits up.

"The kids love these biscuits -- the taste, the small size that's just right for little hands, and the fact that they are fun to eat," said Jacqui Gilmour, Executive Director, Hope for Children. "It's the first food the children have really accepted."

Baseline measurements of the children's heights, weights, and mid-upper-arm-circumferences were repeated every two weeks to monitor growth progress. Only one child in the treatment group was unable to eat her five daily biscuits, apparently due to the advanced effects of her disease.

"Overall, the preliminary results of the pilot are encouraging," Nasra said. "One teacher said that the children seem more alert and attentive in class -- an interesting and unexpected observation indeed! We are optimistic about obtaining positive final results, showing that nutritional supplementation using a protein- and energy-enriched, and fortified food such as the Australian milk biscuit from Arnott's can enhance the nutritional status and general well-being of children living with HIV."

"We became involved in this collaborative research simply because we believe we have a humanitarian obligation to contribute what knowledge and capability we may have to assist in this worthwhile endeavor, and potentially improve the plight of millions of children," said Bob Pitts, Vice President-R&D/QA, Asia Pacific. "We are extremely hopeful that this work does provide one more tool to use, and will add to the body of scientific knowledge, in the fight against AIDS. At the very least, we do know that the milk biscuit can improve the nutrition and health of seriously undernourished children."