Dietary Diversity and its Association with Anaemia among Adolescents of Central India: Findings from Baseline Cross Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Anaemia continues to be a major public health concern in the country owing to varied dietary practices, socio-demographic and cultural influencers. Poor nutrition as a principal underlying factor is less explored among the adolescents among the high focus states in India. Objectives: To study the dietary diversity i.e., food habits, preferences, frequency of food consumption among adolescents and its association with anaemia. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study, from a baseline adolescent health survey (November 2017 – March 2018) included 3213 adolescents (10-19 years). The participants were selected using multi-stage stratified random sampling technique from 6 districts of Madhya Pradesh. Data collection was done by filed investigators through paperless real time method that included sociodemographic details, anthropometric measurements, haemoglobin food frequency questionnaire. Results: The most common daily consumed food items were cereals, tea and pulses by adolescents. Overall prevalence of anaemia was 1715 (53.4%). Those consuming occasional fruits, green non leafy vegetables, red and yellow vegetables, roots and tubers and milk products were at higher risk of developing anaemia compared to other food items regularly. Conclusion: Although association exists between occasional consumption of certain food groups, their temporal relationship needs to be established.