India’s Children Lack Dietary Diversity | 06 Nov 2024

Source: TH

Why in News?

According to a recent study, 77% of children in India aged 6-23 months do not meet the dietary diversity standards recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), with the country’s central region having the highest rates of minimum dietary diversity failure.

What are the Key Highlights of the Study? 

• Historical Comparison: Utilising data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019 and 2021, researchers noted a decline in the overall failure rate of MDD from 87.4% in NFHS-3 (2005-06).  
  • Despite some improvement, over 75% of children still lack diverse diets, highlighting an alarmingly high prevalence and ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate nutrition. 
• State Variance: The study found that states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh exhibited over 80% inadequacy in dietary diversity, reflecting significant regional disparities.  
  • In contrast, Sikkim and Meghalaya reported levels below 50%, highlighting successful local nutritional strategies that could be models for other regions. 
• Status of WHO Dietary Diversity Standards: According to the study, about 35% of the global child deaths and 11% of the total disease burden are due to inadequate nutrition.  
  • While in India, 1 in 3 children are underweight and stunted, and 1 in 5 children are wasted. 
• Dietary Trends by Food Groups: Certain dietary trends have shown marked improvement. 
  • Despite these gains, breast milk and dairy consumption declined, with breastmilk dropping from 87% in NFHS-3 to 85% in NFHS-5 and dairy from 54% to 52%. 
• Undernutrition and Anaemia: The study emphasises that undernutrition and anaemia are still major health issues. It found that children from rural areas, with illiterate mothers, or mothers with limited access to media and healthcare (such as Anganwadi services) are more likely to have diets lacking diversity.  
• Related Recommendations: 
  • This study underscores the necessity for robust government initiatives to improve child nutrition, such as enhancing the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Public Distribution Systems.  
  • The findings suggest that targeted interventions could further reduce the prevalence of dietary deficiencies. 

What are the Major Challenges in Achieving Dietary Diversity in India? 

• Economic and Regional Disparities: High poverty rates and regional inequalities limit access to diverse foods, particularly in central and western states. 
• Limited Nutrition Education: A lack of awareness among caregivers, especially in rural areas, reduces understanding of balanced diets, contributing to undernutrition. 
• Public Distribution Gaps: The PDS often focuses on staple grains, offering limited variety and missing nutrient-rich foods like legumes, fruits, and vegetables. 
• Healthcare Access and Counseling Deficit: Poor access to healthcare facilities and nutrition counseling lacks essential information, affecting children’s dietary choices. 
• Social and Cultural Factors: In some communities, dietary choices are influenced by cultural norms that may deprioritize certain food groups, limiting children’s exposure to varied diets.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Public Distribution System (PDS): Include nutrient-rich foods such as pulses, legumes, and fortified cereals in PDS to improve access to a variety of food groups. 
• Expanding Nutrition Education Programs: Implement community-based nutrition education initiatives, especially for mothers, on the importance of diverse diets and meal planning. 
• Enhancing ICDS and Anganwadi Services: Intensify efforts to monitor child nutrition, provide counselling, and supply balanced food options through ICDS centers. 
• Leveraging Technology and Social Media: Use digital platforms for nutrition awareness campaigns targeting rural and urban areas, focusing on easily accessible dietary diversity practices. 
• Promoting Local and Affordable Food Options: Encourage local cultivation and consumption of nutrient-dense foods like pulses, fruits, and vegetables to make dietary diversity more affordable and sustainable.