ISHS Acta Horticulturae 752: I International Conference on Indigenous Vegetables and Legumes. Prospectus for Fighting Poverty, Hunger and Malnutrition
PATTERN OF INDIGENOUS VEGETABLES AND LEGUMES CONSUMPTION IN RURAL INDIA |
| Authors: | N. Arlappa, N. Balakrishna, A. Laxmaiah, G.N.V. Brahmam |
| Keywords: | RDI, pulses, roots and tubers, households, micronutrients, undernutrition |
| Abstract:
Despite the green revolution and several National Nutritional Intervention Programmes, the prevalence of undernutrition and micronutrient malnutrition continues to be major public health problems in India. As per the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau surveys, substantial population in India are subsisting on inadequate diets, leading to macro- and micronutrient malnutrition. NNMB carried out a community based cross-sectional survey in rural areas of 9 States during 2000-01 to assess the dietary pattern. In general, the mean consumption of green leafy vegetables (GLV) was less than recommended dietary intakes (RDI) in 88% of HHs, and the intakes were below 50% RDI in 60-94% of households (HHs). In more than half of HHs, the mean intake of vegetables was below 50% RDI. The overall intakes of roots and tubers was more than the RDI, however, in 56% of HHs, the intakes did not meet the RDI. In case of pulses and legumes, the mean intakes were grossly deficit, and 73% of HHs did not meet the RDI. In general the mean intakes of vegetables and pulses were significantly (p<0.001) different among different socio-economic groups. Thus, the diets of rural community were grossly deficient in terms of different vegetables and, pulses and legumes contributing to high prevalence of undernutrition and micronutrient malnutrition. Therefore, it is suggested that the community should be encouraged to consume more vegetables and pulses through health and nutrition education, and encourage them to grow vegetables in home gardens. | |
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