Differential consumption pattern of traditional and packed food among rural children

Abstract

The food consumption pattern of an individual reflects their food choices rather than nutrient intake in their diet. These patterns are strongly related to the health outcomes of the individuals. Home-cooked traditional food items are rapidly replaced by packed food items. As children being the future of any nation, thus their health is very important Therefore, improving the nutrition of these children would help to reduce health risks by promoting healthy food consumption. Present study was carried out during 2021–23 to understand the differential consumption pattern of traditional and packed food items among children in rural areas of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The data pertaining to study were collected using food frequency questionnaire with 2–5 years and 6–14 years old children. The key results indicated that packed food item consumption was dominant among 2–5-year-old children in their diets in NSV (Nutri-SMART villages), and non-NSV as explained maximum variation. However, among 6–14 years old children traditional and packed food items consumption was dominant in NSV, while packed food items were dominant in non-NSV as explained by maximum variation. There is a need to design local food resources based strategies to make aware the children about healthy food items and encourage them to consume by targeting access and availability of such foods.