Great Indian Food Paradox: Trends and Patterns

Abstract

According to Nutritional Intake survey series, conducted by the National Sample Survey Organization, there has been slow, but steady decline in consumption of calories and protein, but the fat consumption has been increasing in both rural and urban India. Unlike calorie and protein, the difference in fat intake in rural and urban India is pronounced. Across the states of the country, the states in north-east and eastern regions seem lagging in terms of nutrition — moving further away from the desirable levels and are much below the national average too. In terms of calorie intake, 68 per cent of country’s population remains undernourished and between 2004-05 and 2009-10, there has been an increase of about 55 million people who have deficit intake of calories. With rise in food expenditure among rural and urban masses, there has been less than proportionate increase in calorie and protein intake. However, a propensity to consume more of fat has been witnessed with rise in food expenditure. The study has suggested to generate awareness among the masses about the ‘smart’ diet.