Do Dietary Diversity Indices Reflect the Nutritional Status of School Aged Children?

2016 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 405 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Nithya ◽  
R. V. Bhavani

Dietary Diversity, with foods from all food groups is necessary to meet the requirements for essential nutrients which lead to good health. This study examines whether different dietary diversity indices have relationship with the nutritional status of school children aged 6 to 12 years, in two different regions of India: Wardha district, Maharashtra and Koraput district, Odisha. Dietary diversity was calculated using three methods: Individual food scores calculated using 24 hour diet recall (FS<sub>24hr</sub>) data; household dietary diversity using Berry's index (DDI) and food scores calculated using food frequency data (FS<sub>FFQ</sub>). Anthropometric indices were used to assess the nutritional status of school aged children. The Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and the Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) were calculated as indicators of nutrient adequacy. The relationship between NAR, MAR and three different diversity indices, dietary diversity and anthropometric indices were analyzed. Overall, 38% of 6 to 12 year school aged children were found to be undernourished. The NAR was &lt;70% for all nutrients except protein, energy, thiamine and niacin and MAR was found to be &lt;70% of requirement with mean of 60.5% in both locations. The dietary diversity was found to be relatively better in Wardha when compared with Koraput. The mean diversity indices in both the locations were FS<sub>24hr</sub> 7.56, DDI 89 and FS<sub>FFQ</sub> 62.9. Overall most of the nutrient adequacy and mean adequacy were correlated with all three dietary diversity indices when both locations were studied together. However all three dietary diversity indices failed to show any relationship with nutritional status of school children aged 6-12 years from both locations taken together.

2017 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Nithya ◽  
R. V. Bhavani

SummaryDietary diversity is associated with household or individual food availability and intake of nutrients from different food groups and is an important component of nutritional outcome. This study examined the Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and the Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) of three dietary diversity indices and their relationship with the nutritional status of adolescents and adults in rural regions of two states in India, Wardha district in Maharashtra and Koraput district in Odisha, in 2014. Individual dietary diversity was calculated using 24-hour diet recall (FS24hr) data and household dietary diversity was measured with food frequency data using Berry’s index (DDI) and food scores (FSFFQ). The nutritional status of individuals was assessed using anthropometric indices. The diets in both locations were cereal dominated. It was observed that 51% of adolescent boys and 27% of adolescent girls had ‘thinness’ and stunting. The prevalence of undernutrition was higher among adult women (48%) than adult men (36%). The mean diversity indices were FS24hrof 8, DDI of 89–90 and FSFFQof 64–66 in the two locations. The FS24hrwas found to be positively correlated with the NAR of all nutrients while DDI and FSFFQwere correlated with seven and six nutrients, respectively. The DDI and FS24hrshowed an association with MAR if the two locations were combined together. Sensitivity and specificity analysis showed that FS24hrgave more true positives than false positives and the area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was 0.68, implying that this measure truly differentiates individuals having low dietary diversity with low MAR from those with low dietary diversity and a high MAR. All three measures of dietary diversity showed a linear association with the nutritional outcomes of adults, while in the adolescent group only DDI showed a relationship. It is concluded that 24-hour diet recall is a good measure for studying the relationship between dietary diversity and nutritional status in adults.


2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 644-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
NP Steyn ◽  
JH Nel ◽  
G Nantel ◽  
G Kennedy ◽  
D Labadarios

AbstractObjectiveTo assess whether a food variety score (FVS) and/or a dietary diversity score (DDS) are good indicators of nutrient adequacy of the diet of South African children.MethodsSecondary data analyses were undertaken with nationally representative data of 1–8-year-old children (n = 2200) studied in the National Food Consumption Study in 1999. An average FVS (mean number of different food items consumed from all possible items eaten) and DDS (mean number of food groups out of nine possible groups) were calculated. A nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) is the ratio of a subject's nutrient intake to the estimated average requirement calculated using the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (2002) recommended nutrient intakes for children. The mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was calculated as the sum of NARs for all evaluated nutrients divided by the number of nutrients evaluated, expressed as a percentage. MAR was used as a composite indicator for micronutrient adequacy. Pearson correlation coefficients between FVS, DDS and MAR were calculated and also evaluated for sensitivity and specificity, with MAR taken as the ideal standard of adequate intake. The relationships between MAR and DDS and between anthropometric Z-scores and DDS were also evaluated.ResultsThe children had a mean FVS of 5.5 (standard deviation (SD) 2.5) and a mean DDS of 3.6 (SD 1.4). The mean MAR (ideal = 100%) was 50%, and was lowest (45%) in the 7–8-year-old group. The items with the highest frequency of consumption were from the cereal, roots and tuber group (99.6%), followed by the ‘other group’ (87.6%) comprising items such as tea, sugar, jam and sweets. The dairy group was consumed by 55.8%, meat group by 54.1%, fats by 38.9%, other vegetables by 30.8%, vitamin-A-rich by 23.8%, other fruit by 22%, legumes and nuts by 19.7% and eggs by 13.3%. There was a high correlation between MAR and both FVS (r = 0.726; P < 0.0001) and DDS (r = 0.657; P < 0.0001), indicating that either FVS or DDS can be used as an indicator of the micronutrient adequacy of the diet. Furthermore, MAR, DDS and FVS showed significant correlations with height-for-age and weight-for-age Z-scores, indicating a strong relationship between dietary diversity and indicators of child growth. A DDS of 4 and an FVS of 6 were shown to be the best indicators of MAR less than 50%, since they provided the best sensitivity and specificity.ConclusionEither FVS or DDS can be used as a simple and quick indicator of the micronutrient adequacy of the diet.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1994
Author(s):  
Georgina Gómez ◽  
Ágatha Nogueira Previdelli ◽  
Regina Mara Fisberg ◽  
Irina Kovalskys ◽  
Mauro Fisberg ◽  
...  

Dietary diversity, an important component of diet quality, is associated with an increased probability of adequate micronutrient intake. Women of childbearing age (WCA) are particularly vulnerable to micronutrient inadequacy. The Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) has been used widely as a proxy measurement of micronutrient adequacy. This study aimed to assess the association between MDD-W and nutrients adequacy among WCA of eight Latin American countries. Nutrient intakes from 3704 WCA were analyzed with two 24-hour dietary recalls. Dietary diversity was calculated based on ten food groups with a cut-off point of intake ≥5 groups. The mean dietary diversity score was 4.72 points, and 57.7% of WCA achieved MDD-W. Vitamin D and E showed a mean Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) of 0.03 and 0.38, respectively. WCA with a diverse diet (MDD-W > 5) reported a significantly higher intake of most micronutrients and healthy food groups with less consumption of red and processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages. MDD-W was significantly associated with the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) of 18 micronutrients evaluated. Nevertheless, even those women with a diverse diet fell short of meeting the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) for vitamins D and E. MDD-W is an appropriate tool to evaluate micronutrients adequacy in WCA from Latin America, showing that women who achieved the MDD-W reported higher adequacy ratios for most micronutrients and an overall healthier diet.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 1053 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya N. ◽  
Rajanish K. V. ◽  
Malavika J. ◽  
Aarti Sharma

Background: Dietary diversity is a qualitative measure of food consumption that reflects household access to a variety of foods and is also a proxy for nutrient adequacy of diet of individual. Breast-feeding and complementary feeding practices are fundamental to children’s survival and development. Feeding practices have an impact on physical growth, which is one of the best indicators of children’s well-being. However, the relation between the quality of feeding practices during early age and nutritional status are difficult to establish, and, depending on the context and overall living conditions, the influence of feeding factors on children’s nutritional status can vary considerably. This study helps us to assess the dietary diversity score by simple food count method which is a good indicator of adequate micronutrient intake.Methods: The study was a retrospective study conducted on babies between 6 months to 23 months of age presenting in Paediatric outpatient Department. Data was collected by 24-hour recall method for 3 days and an average.Results: 30% of subjects had weight for age below 2 SD and 8% had length for age below 2 SD. Dietary diversity Score of 1and 6 in 8%, 2 in 48%, 3 and 5 in 6%, 4 in 24% was noted. The average scoring was low among 6-9 and10-12 months and it increased between 13-23 months. With increase in age there was increase in dietary diversity score and vice versa.Conclusions: Limited diversity in complementary foods is a strong predictor of the nutritional status of children. Inclusion of a variety of food groups may be more essential to improve child’s nutritional status.


2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
Lakshmavva Gondi ◽  
Utalbasha Dhandargi ◽  
Deelip S Natekar

Introduction: Dietary diversity is defined as the number of food groups or items consumed over a reference period. A good diverse diet is necessary to furnish the daily nutritional requirements of body. Inadequate dietary diversity is one of major public health problem and can result in unhealthy physical, emotional and psychological changes among adolescents. Objective of the study was to determine dietary diversity and its relationship with nutritional status of adolescents studying in high school. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 12 to April 03, 2021, among a total of 120 adolescents, selected using the stratified random sampling technique. The study was conducted in Kalidas high school, Bagalkot. A structured and prepared questionnaire was used to collect baseline data. Dietary diversity was measured by Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance (FANTA) 2020 using the food items method. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was employed to identify the association of nutritional status and dietary diversity among adolescents. Result: Mean age of sample was 15.14 ± 0.81 years. The mean height for age was 1.63 S.D± .880 S.D. The mean BMI for age Z score was 1.73 SD ± .579 SD. The mean BMI for thinness Z score was 2.35 SD ± 1.301SD.Logistic regression analysis revealed that there was no significant association (P< 0.202) found between dietary diversity and nutritional status of adolescents. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that only one-third of both (boys and girls) have adequate dietary diversity. Low level of dietary diversification suggested points to the need for strengthening efforts targeting to improve the healthy dietary practice of adolescents by giving due attention to poor households and undernourished adolescents. Keywords: dietary diversity, nutritional status, adolescents, High school, unhealthy dietary pattern.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahama Saaka ◽  
Jeremiah Oladele ◽  
Asamoah Larbi ◽  
Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon

Background. Information regarding how dietary diversity is related to haematological status of the pregnant women in rural areas of Northern Ghana is limited. This study therefore evaluated maternal dietary intake and how it relates to the nutritional status of pregnant women belonging to different socioeconomic conditions in Northern Ghana.Methods. This study was cross-sectional in design involving 400 pregnant women. Midupper arm circumference (MUAC) and anaemia status were used to assess the nutritional status of pregnant women.Results. The mean dietary diversity score (DDS) of the study population from ten food groups was4.2±1.5(95% CI: 4.08 to 4.37). Of the 400 women, 46.1% (95% CI: 40.0 to 52.2) met the new minimum dietary diversity for women (MDD-W). The mean haemoglobin concentration among the pregnant women studied was 10.1 g/dl ± 1.40 (95% CI: 9.8 to 10.3). The independent predictors of haemoglobin concentration were maternal educational attainment, gestational age, frequency of antenatal care (ANC) attendance, number of under-five children in the household, size of MUAC, and maternal height.Conclusions. Irrespective of the socioeconomic status, women minimum dietary diversity (MDD-W) was not associated with anaemia among pregnant women resident in the rural areas of Northern Ghana.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 1869
Author(s):  
Nanditha G. ◽  
Chandrakala R. Iyer ◽  
Chandrashekar M. A. ◽  
Poojitha Kancherla ◽  
Raghuveer Golluri ◽  
...  

Background: Healthy children build a wealthy nation. Good health of children is of paramount importance to the nation’s growth. Health and nutritional status of school children is highly variable from one region to another due to different environmental, socioeconomic and cultural factors. Hence health status of school children from each area should be assessed periodically so that relevant health programmes can be applied to prevent common morbidities such as malnutrition, infections and infestations. Methods: A cross sectional study of 500 rural school children from 5 to 15 years was conducted to assess the nutritional status by anthropometry and health status by clinical examination.Results: Out of the 500 school children 46.8% girls, 71.4% were 5 to 10 years old, 70.2% studying in 1st to 5th class.  33.4% were stunted. 25.6% and 27% were underweight according to weight and Body mass index criteria respectively. Common health problems among school children in this study were anemia (31%), dental caries (27.2%), upper respiratory infections (13.4%), skin infections and scabies (12.6%), head lice infestation (6.8%), refractive errors (6%) and ear discharge (5.2%).Conclusions: Though the pattern of nutritional and health problems were same in different studies, the severity of them varied from region to region. Hence periodic screening of school children to identify them and to apply relevant health programmes goes a long way in reducing such morbidities.


1987 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-179
Author(s):  
Olive M. Moase ◽  
Modi Pontio ◽  
Collins O. Airhihenbuwa

The nutritional status of primary school children ( N = 1453) was assessed using weight-for-height (W/H) and twenty-four hour food recall records. Using WHO standards, 21 percent of the students were within the standard W/H. Of the remainder, 71 percent were within 5 kg. of standard W/H, and 8 percent deviated more than 5 kg. from the standard W/H (5% underweight and 3% overweight). The dietary data collected from Grades 5 and 6 ( N = 425) revealed a daily food intake of 1.6, 2.8, and 7.7 servings of protein, protective, and energy foods, respectively, as recorded in local servings. Sixty-five percent of the subjects consumed foods from all three food groups. Twenty-four percent consumed no protein, 14 percent consumed no protective food, and 2 percent consumed neither protein nor protective food. The variety of foods available varied from school to school-3-11 protein foods, 7–15 energy foods, and 8–18 protective foods. To improve nutritional status, government leadership in the areas of education, health, and primary industry will be required. All divisions adhere to the National Food and Nutrition Policy which promotes local rather than imported food.


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