Dietary Diversity among Indian adolescents and young adults: Evidence from UDAYA study

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a period transition from childhood to adulthood , in which they undergo various rapid changes from physical appearances to changes in the food habits. During this period, childbearing age starts, particularly for women, which is one of the most precarious time wherein optimum nutritional status need to be achieved. So, Eating healthy during adolescence is important as rapid physical growth increases the need of several nutrients.Methods: In our study, we have used the UDAYA longitudinal study design which provides a unique opportunity to determine the role of dietary pattern at one time point to the changes at the time 2. For analysis, cross-tabulation and chi-square test is used to test independence of various groups. Binary logistic regression is used to identify determinants of minimum dietary diversity (Yes=1, No=0) of the adolescents. Adjusted odds ratio are computed for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar separately, as well as for combined sample.Results: In the present study, the average adherence to the dietary pattern in our adolescents was 58%, while in Bihar it was 61% , and in UP it was 56%. Using the logistic regression analysis, we found that there was significant difference in the MDD of adolescents by their socio-economic characteristics. But no differentials were found among young and old adolescents in UP and Bihar. Also, food consumption score index (A.O.R.=2.6, 95% CI (2.1-3.1), and media exposure of adolescents at wave1 (A.O.R.=2.1, 95% CI (1.7-2.7) were found significant in depicting the MDD at wave2. Conclusions: India launched ICDS scheme in 1975s to strengthen the nutritional status of young children in the country, but the recent data of NFHS-5 (2019-20), shows that the nutritional status of the country improved only marginally, or rather decreased in some parts. Strengthening and proper evaluation of ICDS programme can help to improve the pro-nutrition among the adolescents. Also, there should be a specific state policy to address the needs of adolescents, and various educational programmes should be conducted in schools where students along with their parents should be educated about the need of healthy dietary habits.