Background/Objectives Most interventions to foster child growth and development in India focus on improving food quality and quantity. We aimed to assess the pattern in food consumption and dietary diversity by socioeconomic status (SES) among Indian children. Subjects/Methods The most recent nationally representative, cross-sectional data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015-16) was used for analysis of 73,852-74,038 children aged 6-23 months. Consumption of 21 food items, seven food groups, and adequately diversified dietary intake (ADDI) was collected through mother's 24-h dietary recall. Logistic regression models were conducted to assess the association between household wealth and maternal education with food consumption and ADDI, after controlling for covariates. Results Overall, the mean dietary diversity score was low (2.26; 95% CI:2.24-2.27) and the prevalence of ADDI was only 23%. Both household wealth and maternal education were significantly associated with ADDI (OR:1.28; 95% CI:1.18-1.38 and OR:1.75; 95% CI:1.63-1.90, respectively), but the SES gradient was not particularly strong. Furthermore, the associations between SES and consumption of individual food items and food groups were not consistent. Maternal education was more strongly associated with consumption of essential food items and all food groups, but household wealth was found to have significant influence on intake of dairy group only. Conclusions Interventions designed to improve food consumption and diversified dietary intake among Indian children need to be universal in their targeting given the overall high prevalence of inadequate dietary diversity and the relatively small differentials by SES.

Subjects with goitrous autoimmune thyroiditis need periodic monitoring of thyroid function. Development of thyroid dysfunction is insidious and may not be accompanied by symptoms and clinical signs. In pediatric and adolescent age groups it is imperative to correct thyroid dysfunction to achieve optimal growth and development.

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Background: Children participating in the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) in India have high rates of iron and vitamin A deficiency. Objective: The objective was to assess the efficacy of a premix fortified with iron and vitamin A and added at the community level to prepared khichdi, a rice and dal mixture, in increasing iron and vitamin A stores and decreasing the prevalence of iron deficiency, anemia, and vitamin A deficiency. Design: This cluster, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was initiated in 30 Anganwadi centers (daycare centers) in West Bengal state, India. Children aged 36 -66 mo (n ҃ 516) attending villagebased ICDS centers were randomly assigned to receive either a fortified or a nonfortified premix for 24 wk. Blood was drawn at 0 and 24 wk by venipuncture for the measurement of hemoglobin, serum ferritin, and serum retinol. Results: The change in the hemoglobin concentration of anemic children was significantly different between fortified and nonfortified khichdi groups (P 0.001). Prevalence rates of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia were significantly lower after 24 wk in the fortified-khichdi group than in the nonfortified-khichdi group (P 0.001). There were no significant differences in serum retinol concentrations or in the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency between the fortified-and nonfortified-khichdi groups. Conclusion: A premix fortified with iron, vitamin A, and folic acid and added to supplementary food at the community level can be effective at increasing iron stores and reducing the prevalence of iron deficiency and anemia.

India is one of the first countries to introduce salt iodisation, but the national programme has experienced major setbacks. The purpose of this paper is to review the national efforts towards universal salt iodisation (USI) in India and highlight key challenges in programme implementation. A brief historical overview of the salt iodisation programme is provided and the current status of the household usage of iodised salt and population iodine status is described. The present status of the USI programme together with the challenges being faced towards achieving USI are classified in five categories, which represent the five guiding principles crucial to sustained USI programme success: ensuring political commitment, forming partnerships and coalition, ensuring availability of adequately iodised salt, strengthening the monitoring system and maintaining continuous advocacy, education and communication. A future agenda towards the achievement of USI is also proposed.