Millet Consumption Patterns, Perceptions, and Barriers among Non-Communicable Disease Patients in an Urban
Gurmeet Kaur1, Garima Singh2, Shubham Kansal3
1Department of Community Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India.
Background:
The year 2023 was celebrated as the International Year of Millet, which aims to promote the production and consumption of millet. However, little is known about the beneficial effects of millet on chronic conditions. This study aimed to assess patients' perceptions of millet consumption among those with chronic conditions.
Methodology:
A mixed-method study was conducted among patients attending a noncommunicable disease clinic at the Urban Health Centre, Kalyanpuri, aged 30 years and above. A total of 369 participants were included. These participants were also asked for in-depth details for qualitative analysis. A pan-India consumer survey was applied to participants to assess their millet consumption.
Results:
Almost three-fourths of the participants (271/374, 73.4%) recognized any form of millet shown. Half of the participants (47.9%) consume some form of millet every couple of years, while only 15.4% consume it at least once a week. Based on in-depth interviews, five themes were identified: consumption issues, the effects of consuming millets, health-related problems, limited knowledge, and political will. Barriers to millet consumption included procurement and storage issues, high cost, unpalatability, seasonal preference, limited knowledge of millets, and post-consumption digestive issues. Facilitators identified were benefits for patients with diabetes, obesity, high energy content, and assistance in weight loss.
Conclusion:
Awareness of millet consumption was high, but actual intake was low. Challenges such as procurement, health concerns, lack of knowledge, and political challenges are interconnected barriers. Addressing these through targeted educational initiatives, supportive policies, and better market access could significantly boost millet's role as a staple food in diets.
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