A report published by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has been published in the National Medical Journal of India, which focuses on Minimum Dietary Diversity Failure (MDDF).
Minimum Dietary Diversity
- Minimum dietary diversity is a reliable indicator, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- It reflects the availability and consumption of diverse food groups and essential micronutrients for children.
- According to WHO, nutritional factors cause about 35 percent of child deaths and contribute to 11 percent of the total disease burden globally.
Key findings of the recent report
- Data source: Scientists used datasets from rounds 3, 4 and 5 of the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS).
- MDDF rate: Decreased from 87.4% in NFHS-3 (2005-06) to 77.1% in NFHS-5 (2019-21). • MDDF prevalence: Despite the decline, eight states in north, central and west India have more than 80% MDDF in children aged 6-23 months.
MDDF across Indian states
- Highest MDDF:
- Uttar Pradesh (86.1%)
- Rajasthan (85.1%)
- Gujarat (84%)
- Maharashtra (81.9%)
- Madhya Pradesh (81.6%)
Regional trends: As of 2019-21, central India had a MDDF prevalence of 6%. Only 95 of the 707 districts analysed had an MDDF prevalence of less than 60%, mainly located in the south, east, north-east and north.
Dietary diversity: Consumption of foods under eight groups including eggs, vitamin A-rich foods, vegetables, and meat foods increased from NFHS-3 to NFHS-5. Logistic modeling found that MDDF is higher among young, illiterate mothers, girls, poor households, children with anemia, low birth weight infants, and children who do not receive regular health check-ups at Anganwadi/ICDS centers.
Recommendations
- The study emphasizes the need for intensive policy interventions in the distribution of nutrition resources.
- There is a need to strengthen local self-governance systems for beneficiary population counseling and program implementation to check malnutrition and dietary consumption.
- Programs like Poshan Abhiyaan and ICDS are active, but strong convergence is needed to meet the gap in nutrition resources.