Over 77% of Indian children lack WHO-suggested diverse diet, study reveals

Over 77 percent of Indian children aged 6-23 months lack the WHO-suggested minimum dietary diversity, with central states showing the highest rates of failure, according to a new study.

In Short

• 77% of Indian children lack WHO-suggested diet diversity
• Central states record highest diet failure rates
• Egg consumption rises, breastmilk and dairy drop

A recent study has found that over 77 per cent of children in India, aged 6-23 months, do not receive the World Health Organisation (WHO)-suggested dietary diversity.

This lack of diversity, which includes a balanced intake of breastmilk, eggs, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, is a major concern for child nutrition across the country.

The study, based on data from the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21), highlighted that regions like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh reported the highest prevalence of diet failure — with over 80 per cent of children lacking minimum dietary diversity. In contrast, Sikkim and Meghalaya were the only states where less than 50 per cent of children experienced inadequate diets.

According to the WHO, a child’s diet is considered diverse when it includes at least five food groups. The survey found that while the national failure rate has decreased since the 2005-06 NFHS-3 data (87.4 per cent), there is still much work to be done.

IMPROVEMENTS IN SPECIFIC FOOD GROUPS

Despite the high failure rate, the study did reveal improvements in some food groups over the years. Egg consumption saw a significant rise, from around 5 per cent in 2005-06 to over 17 per cent in 2019-21.

Legumes and nuts also saw a modest increase, while the consumption of vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables grew by 7.3 percentage points.

However, there was a decline in the consumption of breastmilk and dairy products, and this trend remains a concern for overall child nutrition.

VULNERABLE GROUPS AFFECTED

The study also shed light on vulnerable children more likely to suffer from dietary diversity failure. Children born to illiterate mothers, living in rural areas, and lacking exposure to health check-ups or nutrition counselling were found to be at greater risk.

Additionally, anaemic children and those with low birth weight were more prone to diets deficient in diversity.

The authors of the study emphasised the need for a holistic approach, calling for improvements in public distribution systems, intensified programmes like ICDS, and more nutrition counselling efforts.