Diet & nutrition situation in rural India

During the last 25 years, a large database has been accumulated on the diet and nutritional status of the rural population of different states of India. The National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad have carried out extensive diet and nutrition surveys in 12 states of the country. These surveys indicate that the diets of the rural population are inadequate and deficient in most of the nutrients. There is widespread energy deficiency in the rural households. About 60 per cent of the preschool children are underweight (< median -2SD weight for age of NCHS) and 62 per cent are stunted (long duration malnutrition). About 15 per cent of the children of 1-5 yr of age suffer from short duration malnutrition (wasting). Repeat surveys showed that severe malnutrition had declined substantially in children. Similarly, there was reduction in the extent of chronic energy deficiency among the adults. However, there were no perceptible changes in the diet and nutrient intakes during the past 20 yr.