Dietary Diversity as A Long-Term Solution to India's Micronutrient Shortages: A Review

Abstract

India has a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, which can lead to various health problems such as anemia, blindness, and impaired cognitive development. The primary cause of these deficiencies is the consumption of diets that are low in micronutrients, particularly vitamins and minerals. The increasing dietary diversity can help to address this problem by providing a wider range of micronutrients in the diet. It suggests that promoting the consumption of a variety of foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and animal-source foods, can help to improve the intake of key micronutrients. The challenges of promoting dietary diversity in India are limited access to diverse foods, cultural and social norms, and economic constraints. Addressing these challenges will require a multi-sectoral approach that involves government policies, private sector initiatives, and community-based interventions. This review examines the issue of micronutrient deficiencies in India and suggests that improving dietary diversity could be a long-term solution to this problem. The article reviews various studies and reports related to dietary diversity and its impact on nutrition and health. Overall, the article concludes that dietary diversity is a promising long-term solution to India's micronutrient shortages, but it will require sustained efforts to promote and support diverse diets across all sectors of society.