Hyderabad: Many rural families in Telangana now eat more carbohydrates as they are more affordable than sourcing limited protein and micronutrient rich options, a recent study by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has said. The international body, quoting the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) baseline report 2021 by NITI Aayog, said the study was taken up in Telangana as the state has one in seven individuals multidimensionally poor which is less than the national average of one in four. The ICRISAT study stated,
A new study from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is reshaping our understanding of India’s rural health crisis by shedding light on the unexpected causes driving the rise of rural obesity and malnutrition.
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The study also highlights the lack of access to protein and the importance of traditional food systems, and nutrition-sensitive food supply chains.
People are also eating more sugary packaged foods because they are easily available in stores and have a longer shelf life than healthy fruits and vegetables, the study said.
Those who move to cities from rural areas also make changes in their diet because they are exposed to widespread packaged food advertising.
Dr Jacqueline Hughes, Director General of ICRISAT, commended the study stating that as policymakers navigate this nutritional challenge, the cost of inaction on the public health system would outweigh the cost of action. Ms Hughes said,
There is a need to work closer with the food processing industry to blend heritage with health by making nutritious products such as millet more attractive to consumers.
To address the problem, the study suggests teaching people about nutrition, informing them about healthy food, using digital tools to spread the message, and growing local food.
Dr Shalander Kumar, Cluster Leader – Markets, Institutions, and Policy and the lead author of the study, said the findings provide substantial evidence for policymakers to address the triple burden of malnutrition: the coexistence of under-nutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and over-nutrition in rural India.
Also Read: Mother’s Consumption Of Ultra-Processed Foods Linked To Risk Of Obesity In Children: Study
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
