Global Nutrition Research Articles

Collaboration between Private and Public Genebanks in Conserving and Using Plant Genetic Resources.

Among the most important users of plant genetic resources, conserved predominantly in public genebanks around the world, are public and private plant breeders. Through their breeding efforts, they contribute significantly to global, regional, and local food and nutrition security. Plant breeders need genetic diversity to be able to develop competitive new varieties that are adapted to the changing environmental conditions and suit the needs of consumers. To ensure continued and timely access to the genetic resources that contain the required characteristics and traits, plant breeders established working collections with breeding materials and germplasm for the crops they were breeding. However, with the changing and increasingly more restrictive access conditions, triggered by new global legal instruments like the Convention on Biological Diversity/Nagoya Protocol and the International Treaty, plant breeders started to establish their own genebanks at the turn of the 21st century. This paper analyses the conditions that contributed to this situation as well as the historical ways that plant breeders used to acquire the germplasm they needed. Public genebanks played and continue to play a conducive role in providing genetic resources to users, including private-sector plant breeders. However, also the practices of the germplasm curators to collect and distribute germplasm were affected by the new legal framework that had been developed in global fora. It is against this background that the complementarity and collaboration between public and private sector genebanks have been assessed. Whenever possible, vegetable genetic resources and vegetable private breeding companies have been used to analyze and illustrate such collaboration. The authors look at reported successful examples of collaborative efforts and consider opportunities and approaches under which such collaboration can be established and strengthened to ensure the continued availability of the building blocks for food and nutrition security.

The evolution of nutrition management in children with severe neurological impairment with a focus on cerebral palsy.

Nutritional management of children with severe neurological impairment (SNI) is highly complex, and the profile of this population is changing. The aim of this narrative review was to give the reader a broad description of evolution of the nutritional management of children with SNI in a high resource setting. In the last decade, there has been an emphasis on using multiple anthropometric measures to monitor nutritional status in children with SNI, and several attempts at standardising the approach have been made. Tools such as the Feeding and Nutrition Screening Tool, the Subjective Global Nutrition Assessment, the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System and the Focus on Early Eating and Drinking Swallowing (FEEDS) toolkit have become available. There has been an increased understanding of how the gut microbiome influences gastrointestinal symptoms common in children with SNI, and the use of fibre in the management of these has received attention. A new diagnosis, 'gastrointestinal dystonia', has been defined. The increased use and acceptance of blended food tube feeds has been a major development in the nutritional management of children with SNI, with reported benefits in managing gastrointestinal symptoms. New interventions to support eating and drinking skill development in children with SNI show promise. In conclusion, as the life expectancy of people with SNI increases due to advances in medical and nutrition care, our approach necessitates a view to long-term health and quality of life. This involves balancing adequate nutrition to support growth, development and well-being while avoiding overnutrition and its associated detrimental long-term effects.

Sustainable Finance and Theories of Green Financing in Global Nutrition Projects

This study examines the convergence of sustainable finance and green financing theories in addressing global nutrition challenges, with a focus on the dual issues of environmental degradation and malnutrition. By using a new theoretical framework, the study shows how financial tools usually used for environmental projects, like green bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and environmental impact investments, can be used to help with global nutrition initiatives. The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) Theory anchors the framework, emphasizing the convergence of environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic viability in boosting food security. Additionally, the study draws upon the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis and the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) to elucidate how green financing can simultaneously mitigate malnutrition and preserve ecosystems. The study underscores the theoretical implications of applying green finance to nutrition projects, examining both the advantages and challenges, particularly in developing countries where resource constraints and environmental degradation are more acute. The study also identifies key risks associated with green financing, including political, regulatory, and currency risks, and proposes strategies for managing these risks. Furthermore, the study provides insights into future research directions, exploring the role of impact investors and the application of digital finance innovations, such as blockchain, in enhancing the efficacy of green financing for nutrition projects.

Let food be your medicine - dietary fiber.

Dietary fiber (DF) cannot be digested and absorbed by the digestive tract, nor can it provide the energy needed to be burned for metabolic activities. Therefore, from the 1950s to the 1980s, DF received little attention in nutrition studies. With in-depth research and developments in global nutrition, people have gradually paid attention to the fact that DF occupies an essential position in the structure of nutrition, and it can ensure the healthy development of human beings. As early as 390 B.C., the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates proposed, "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food". This concept has been more systematically validated in modern scientific research, with numerous epidemiological studies showing that the dietary intake of DF-rich foods such as whole grains, root vegetables, legumes, and fruits has the potential to regulate the balance of the gut microbiota and thereby prevent diseases. However, the crosstalk between different types of DF and the gut microbiota is quite complex, and the effects on the organism vary. In this paper, we discuss research on DF and the gut microbiota and related diseases, aiming to understand the relationship between all three better and provide a reference basis for the risk reduction of related diseases.

Upcycling of seafood side streams for circularity.

The upcycling of seafood side streams emerges as a crucial facet in the quest for circularity within the food industry, surpassing other food sources in its significance. Seafood side stream plays an indispensable role in global food security and human nutrition. Nevertheless, losses ensue throughout the seafood supply chain, resulting in substantial waste generation. These underutilized seafood by-products contain valuable resources like edible proteins and nitrogenous compounds. Projections indicate that fishery products' utilization for human consumption will soar to 204 MT by 2030. Yet, the industry annually generates millions of tonnes of waste, predominantly from crab, shrimp, and lobster shells, leading to environmental impacts due to COD and BOD issues. A five-tier circular economic model offers a framework to manage seafood side-streams efficiently, with applications spanning pharmaceuticals, food production, animal feed, fertilizers, and energy fuel, thereby maximizing their potential and reducing waste in line with sustainability goals.

Dietary Glycemic Index and Load and Semen Quality: A Cross-Sectional and Prospective Analysis within the FERTINUTS Trial.

Infertility is a global health issue and nutrition plays a significant role in fertility outcomes. We aimed to investigate the cross-sectional and prospective associations of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) with semen quality parameters in a cohort of healthy young men. The study included 106 men aged 18-35 years from the FERTINUTS trial. Dietary intake was estimated through 3-day dietary records and several semen parameters were assessed. Multivariable linear regression analysis with the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) approach was employed. The cross-sectional analysis revealed positive associations between GI and GL and total sperm count, sperm concentration, and total motility. In the prospective analysis, baseline GI was associated with increases in pH, vitality, immotile sperm or abnormal midpiece and decreases in total sperm count and motility. Conversely, GL was positively associated with changes in vitality and total sperm count. While these findings suggest that GI may have adverse effects on several sperm quality parameters, the results were not consistently observed in the cross-sectional analysis. However, GL was consistently associated with better sperm quality in both analyses. The impact of carbohydrate quality and quantity on fertility remains uncertain and larger prospective studies are needed.

The role of nutrition-sensitive climate-smart agriculture in ensuring global food security

Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is a sustainable farming approach that attempts to maximize resource utilization, improve long-term agricultural sustainability, and prevent environmental degradation while improving agricultural income and production. Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture (NSA) revolves around the connections between agriculture, food systems, and health, with the goal of ensuring that agricultural practices contribute to better nutrition and well-being. This research focuses on the deployment of a Nutrition-Sensitive Climate Smart Agriculture (NSCSA) method in order to better understand its potential benefits for global food security and nutrition. The research methodology comprises a thorough analysis and review of existing literature on CSA, NSA, and NSCSA policies and practices. To address the complex concerns of food security and nutrition in the context of climate change, the article emphasizes the significance of incorporating nutrition considerations into CSA policies and initiatives. The findings further highlight the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration and knowledge sharing in implementing and scaling up nutrition-sensitive CSA initiatives. In conclusion, the study reveals that nutrition-sensitive CSA has the potential to help achieve sustainable development goals such as food security, nutrition, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Analysis of global nutrient gaps and their potential to be closed through redistribution and increased supply.

Global food systems are crucial for sustaining life on Earth. Although estimates suggest that the current production system can provide enough food and nutrients for everyone, equitable distribution remains challenging. Understanding global nutrient distribution is vital for addressing disparities and creating effective solutions for the present and future. This study analyzes global nutrient supply changes to address inadequacies in certain populations using the existing DELTA Model®, which uses aggregates of global food production to estimate nutrient adequacy. By examining the 2020 global food commodity and nutrient distribution, we project future food production in 2050 needs to ensure global adequate nutrition. Our findings reveal that while some nutrients appear to be adequately supplied on a global scale, many countries face national insufficiencies (% supply below the population reference intake) in essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B12, B2, potassium, and iron. Closing these gaps will require significant increases in nutrient supply. For example, despite global protein supply surpassing basic needs for the 2050 population, significant shortages persist in many countries due to distribution variations. A 1% increase in global protein supply, specifically targeting countries with insufficiencies, could address the observed 2020 gaps. However, without consumption pattern changes, a 26% increase in global protein production is required by 2050 due to population growth. In this study, a methodology was developed, applying multi-decade linear convergence to sufficiency values at the country level. This approach facilitates a more realistic assessment of future needs within global food system models, such as the DELTA Model®, transitioning from idealized production scenarios to realistic projections. In summary, our study emphasizes understanding global nutrient distribution and adjusting minimum global nutrient supply targets to tackle country-level inequality. Incorporating these insights into global food balance models can improve projections and guide policy decisions for sustainable, healthy diets worldwide.

How prices and income influence global patterns in saturated fat intake by age, sex and world region: a cross-sectional analysis of 160 countries

ObjectiveWhen considering proposals to improve diets, it is important to understand how factors like price and income can affect saturated fat (SF) intake and demand. In this study, we examine...

Determinant factors of under-five years severely wasted children in rural and sub-urban areas of Indonesia.

Understanding the determinant factors contributing to severely wasted is crucial in decreasing the problem and meeting the World Health Global Nutrition Target by 2025. This study investigated the determinants of severely wasted among children under five years old in Indonesia's rural and sub-urban areas. This was a cross-sectional study of severely wasted children in rural and sub-urban areas in East Java, Indonesia. Collected data on individual characteristics, socio-economic status, nutrient intake, environmental and food sanitation, and health service utilization were obtained by structured questionnaires. An ordinal regression and Chi-square test were applied to determine the factors with a significance level 0.05. As many as 25 respondents in rural areas and 30 in sub-urban areas were included after receiving informed consent. Age and household environmental and food sanitation were associated with severely wasted in rural and sub-urban areas, with P < 0.05. Meanwhile, family members, income, and calcium intake were only in rural areas. Birth spacing, nutrient intake, except calcium intake, and health care utilization were the only factors in sub-urban areas. The low-birth-weight history, sex, mother's education, and the parent's occupation did not correlate with the severely wasted in rural and sub-urban areas. The determinant factors of under-five years of severely wasted children in rural and sub-urban areas of Indonesia are different, so it is vital to design regional-based approaches to tackle the problem.

The performance of Indian States and Union Territories on Global Nutrition Targets: A rank-based analysis using a composite nutrition index

Background &#x0D; The increased global discourse on nutrition challenges has underscored the imperative to comprehend and monitor diverse manifestations of malnutrition. The comprehensive monitoring of various forms of malnutrition, including undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies, plays a pivotal role in assessing the progress towards the Global Nutrition Targets (GNTs) established by the World Health Assembly (WHA), as well as nutrition-related SDGs (SDGs). To this end, a Composite Index (CI) of six nutrition indicators centred on GNTs has been formulated to gauge and appraise progress across India’s various States and Union Territories (UTs).&#x0D; Methods &#x0D; To calculate the CI, the authors apply a methodology developed by Webb et al. (2015). Disparities in performance between Indian States and UTs are highlighted. The analysis uses data from two surveys: the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2015-16 and the NFHS of 2019-21. The main analytical tool is a rank-order analysis of the CI scores among states and union territories, with higher scores representing greater progress in achieving the targets for the six indicators.&#x0D; Results &#x0D; Based on data from both NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, India’s overall estimated CI-WHA score stood at 2.80 and 2.86, respectively. Notably, the CI-WHA exhibited considerable inter-State/UT variation, ranging from 2.16 in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu to 5.07 in Manipur, as per NFHS-4, and from 2.14 in Gujarat to 5.25 in Manipur, as per NFHS-5. Among the 34 States/UTs for which complete data sets for all six WHA targets were available from NFHS-4, the top five performers according to the developed CI-WHA targets were Manipur (5.07), Mizoram (4.87), Nagaland (4.12), Kerala (4.00), and Telangana (3.80). In contrast, the bottom five States/UTs based on NFHS-4 data were Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2.16), Uttar Pradesh (2.31), Meghalaya (2.40), Haryana (2.40) and Madhya Pradesh (2.43). However, based on NFHS-5 data, the top five States/UTs were Manipur (5.25), Mizoram (4.29), Puducherry (UT) (4.15), Goa (3.89), and Kerala (3.87), while the bottom five were Gujarat (2.14), Tripura (2.16), West Bengal (2.20), Bihar (2.31), and Assam (2.46).&#x0D; Conclusions &#x0D; Applying the CI to monitor States/UTs’ progress in reaching WHA targets. Furthermore, it offers a means to track the progress made on nutrition-related SDGs at the sub-national level. This can help identify States/UTs whose nutrition policies and programs require targeted enhancements to comprehensively improve India’s performance concerning GNTs. It aims to empower policymakers with the information required to make informed decisions and implement effective measures to enhance overall nutrition outcomes, especially in under-performing States/UTs.

Context and Perspectives for Establishing a Novel Database for Protein Quality of Human Foods, as Proposed by a Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/International Atomic Energy Agency Expert Technical Meeting in October 2022

United Nations agencies have a long history of leading work on establishing global human nutrient requirements. Dietary protein contributes to metabolism and homeostasis and plays an essential role in human health for growth, maintenance, reproduction, and immune function (or immunity). Accurately defining the quantity and quality of protein provided by foods and diets required to meet human nutritional needs is essential to achieving global environmental and nutrition goals. There have been many scientific developments related to protein quality over the past decades, with the preferred method being the scoring approach that relates the capacity of protein sources to provide an adequate amount and proportion of nitrogen and indispensable amino acids (IAAs) in a bioavailable form (often referred to as digestibility). Questions surrounding the scoring approach and IAA metabolic availability have been discussed during past and recent expert consultations. Recently, an Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/International Atomic Energy Agency technical meeting, held in Vienna, 10–13 October, 2022, reviewed and updated evidence and related methods on protein requirements and protein quality assessment and designed a framework for the development of a Protein Digestibility Database to aid dialog on the evaluation of protein quality and protein sufficiency in different populations. The database should be a living document and align with national food compositional databases.

Exploring the Link between Soil Microbial Diversity and Nutritional Deficiencies

The world is facing a hidden hunger crisis, where millions of people are suffering from nutritional deficiencies despite having access to food. While much research has focused on the quality and quantity of food, recent studies have shown that soil microbial diversity may also play a crucial role in human nutrition. Soil microbes interact with plants in complex ways, influencing the absorption of nutrients and producing compounds that are essential for human health. However, factors such as intensive agriculture, climate change, and soil pollution can lead to a decline in soil microbial diversity, which may contribute to the rise of hidden hunger. In this paper, we explore the link between soil microbial diversity and nutritional deficiencies, examining the latest research on the topic and discussing potential solutions to this pressing global issue. Our findings suggest that promoting soil health and biodiversity could be a key strategy for addressing hidden hunger and improving global nutrition.

Surveillance of Avian Metapneumovirus in Non-Vaccinated Chickens and Co-Infection with Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Brazil is the second largest producer of broiler chicken in the world, and the surveillance of avian pathogens is of great importance for the global economy and nutrition. Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) infection results in high rates of animal carcass losses due to aerosacculitis and these impacts can be worsened through co-infection with pathogenic bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli (APEC). The present study evaluated the seroprevalence of the main aMPV subtypes in unvaccinated broiler chickens from poultry farms in Brazil, as well as the clinical effects of co-infection with APEC. Blood samples, respiratory swabs, femurs, liver, and spleen of post-mortem broiler chickens were collected from 100 poultry production batches, totaling 1000 samples. The selection of the production batch was based on the history of systemic and respiratory clinical signs. The results indicated that 20% of the lots showed serological evidence of the presence of aMPV, with two lots being positive for aMPV-B. A total of 45% of batches demonstrated co-infection between aMPV and APEC. The results point to the need for viral surveillance, targeted vaccination, and vaccination programs, which could reduce clinical problems and consequently reduce the use of antibiotics to treat bacterial co-infections.

HUBUNGAN PENGETAHUAN IBU RUMAH TANGGA DENGAN RESIKO STUNTING DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS HUTABALANG KABUPATEN TAPANULI TENGAH TAHUN 2023

Reducing the incidence of stunting is the sixth goal of The Global Nutrition Target for 2025. The prevalence of stunted toddlers for North Sumatra Province from the results of Riskesdas (2018) is 32.3%. The number of toddlers in the Hutabalang Community Health Center working area is 1,644 and there are 8 toddlers suffering from stunting. Housewives' knowledge about the risks of stunting can determine their attitude in maintaining the health of toddlers so that stunting can be prevented. This research uses a quasi-experimental method with a nonequivalent control group design approach with pretest and posttest. The research was carried out from April to September 2023. Samples were taken using purposive sampling as many as 16 housewives who had children under five. Data were analyzed univariately and bivariately. The results of the research showed that before being given treatment (counseling), the majority of respondents had poor knowledge, 10 people (62.5%) and 6 people who had good knowledge (37.5%). After being given treatment, those with good knowledge increased to 14 people (87.5%) and those with less knowledge were 2 people (12.5%). Conclusion: there is a significant increase in housewives' knowledge about the risk of stunting in toddlers after being given education using posters on the risk of stunting in toddlers. Suggestion: Efforts to increase knowledge for housewives about the risks of stunting are very necessary in the hope that housewives can carry out early detection of the risk of stunting in toddlers so that the number of stunting incidents in the Hutabalang Health Center working area can decrease.

Response of Wheat to Farmyard Manure and Zinc Application in a Vertisol of Central India

Zinc (Zn) deficiency is one of the major global nutrition concerns, particularly in regions where diets are cereal dominant. About 50% of soils poor in zinc have resulted in zinc deficiency in cereal grains. Farmyard manure (FYM) with Zn application is the way to meet the Zn needs of crops and to raise the Zn content of grain that is ultimately consumed by people. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of JNKVV, Jabalpur, in the Rabi season of 2020-2021 with three levels of FYM (0, 5.0, and 10 t ha-1) and three levels of zinc (0, 5 and 10 kg Zn ha-1) through ZnSO4.7H2O in a completely randomized design (CRD). Results revealed that the addition of 5 t FYM ha-1 + 10 kg Zn ha-1 produced significantly better results for the plant height compared to the control. The combined application of 10 t FYM ha-1 + 10 kg Zn ha-1 showed the highest SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) meter reading at 21 DAS (Days after sowing), but it was the highest at the sole application of 10 t FYM ha-1 at 45 DAS. Significant enhancements in spike length (7.65 cm), weight and number of grains per spike (23.90), and DMP of 7.12 g pot-1 were recorded with the 5 kg Zn ha-1 sole application. However, the highest grain weight (2.50 g pot-1) was recorded with 5 t FYM ha-1 + 5 kg Zn ha-1, which was on par with 5 t FYM ha-1, 5 kg Zn ha-1, and 10 t FYM ha-1+10 kg Zn ha-1. The highest Zn content (48.95 mg kg-1) in wheat grain was recorded with 10 kg Zn ha-1, followed by 5 t FYM ha-1 + 10 kg Zn ha-1 (44.45 mg kg-1). The highest Zn uptake of 99.53 µg pot-1 by grain of wheat was recorded with 5 t FYM ha-1 + 5 kg Zn ha-1, which was significantly superior to all the treatments but on par with 5 kg Zn ha-1 (98.82 µg pot-1). Combined application of 5 t FYM ha-1 +10 kg Zn ha-1 maintain extractable zinc in soil as compared to control.

The Role of Fish in Global Food and Nutrition Security: Current Aspects and Future Prospect

This article describes the current aspects and future prospect of fish usage in consumer’s meals to cover the deficiency of essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, globally. Currently, most of the human population is facing health problems such as cancer, depression, early aging, heart, brain, and autoimmune diseases, etc. due to the lack of essential elements in the routine diet. Fish is blessed as an enriched source of Omega-3, Calcium, Iodine, IL-1, Lysine, Vitamin A, D3, and many more to combat above mentioned problems. Fish is not only a reliable source of income generation from the beginning of the World Era but also provides essential nutrients to the poor community. Traditionally, it is the source of earnings for more than 100 million people and supplies livelihood to 660-820 million people worldwide. It is estimated that fish production and consumption are going to increase from 178.5 to 204.4 million tons and 18.7 kg per capita to 22.5 kg, respectively, during 2018-2030. This review highlights the role of fish in global food and nutrition security by providing protein and essential nutrients to the community to attain the Sustainable Developmental Goals of the United Nations.

Development and validation of diagnostic markers for the reduced height gene Rht8 in wheat

AbstractWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production is necessary for global food and nutrition security. Reducing plant height is an effective strategy to increase lodging resistance, harvest index, and eventually wheat yield. Rht8 is a gibberellic acid–sensitive reduced height (Rht) gene and has been cloned. Rht8 encodes a ribonuclease H‐like (RNHL) superfamily protein that reduces plant height without reduction in coleoptile length. High‐throughput diagnostic markers are not available for precise selection of RNHL in wheat breeding. In this study, we found that different cultivars may carry 1–3 copies of RNHLs on chromosome 2D, and only 2D carries the semi‐dwarf allele of RNHL although the wild‐type RNHL allele is detected in several other chromosomes. We developed two kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers, Rht8‐KASP‐V2 and Rht8‐KASP‐V3, based on the causal variation in RNHL. The two markers co‐segregated with plant height in a recombinant inbred population and were validated in a panel of hard winter wheat breeding lines from the 2022 Regional Germplasm Observation Nursery and Regional Performance Nursery. Rht8 has not been extensively deployed in US hard winter wheat and development of the diagnostic KASP markers will facilitate Rht8 transfer to US wheat cultivars.

Millets - Neglected Cereal with High Potential in Health Benefits in Malnutrition

In a world grappling with malnutrition, millets emerge as unsung heroes, offering a beacon of hope for improved global health. This chapter delves into the treasure trove of millets, revealing their often-overlooked potential as a nutritional powerhouse. Millets, a diverse group of cereal grains, hold the promise of mitigating malnutrition on a global scale. Firstly, we explore the exceptional nutritional value of millets, demonstrating how they pack a punch with essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. A comparative analysis with other grains underscores their superiority in providing a balanced diet. We then uncover the diverse varieties of millets and their suitability for various regions and climates, making them an adaptable and sustainable choice for farmers worldwide. Millet farming techniques, including their resilience to adverse conditions, are discussed, shedding light on their role in food security.&#x0D; The health implications of millet consumption are another focus, revealing their potential in preventing chronic diseases and improving overall well-being. Case studies underscore the tangible impact of millet-based interventions on malnutrition reduction. However, challenges persist, such as limited awareness and policy support. Nonetheless, millets hold immense promise for enhancing global health and nutrition. This chapter advocates for the integration of millets into our diets, promoting sustainable agriculture, and addressing malnutrition's root causes. As we delve into the world of millets, we find not only a neglected cereal but a beacon of hope for a healthier, more sustainable future.

Maternal–child consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages in informal settlements in Mumbai, India

BackgroundThe global nutrition transition is associated with increased consumption of ultra-processed snack foods and sugar-sweetened beverages (UPF/SSB), contributing to the double burden of child obesity and undernutrition.MethodsThis cross-sectional study describes the prevalence of maternal and child UPF/SSB consumption and the factors associated with frequent consumption in a convenience sample of 749 children ages 6 months through 6 years and their mothers participating in a community-based child oral health program in five informal settlement communities in Mumbai, India. Mothers were interviewed regarding maternal and child oral health and nutrition characteristics, including consumption of beverages and foods associated with tooth decay—milk, soda, tea with sugar, sweets, and chips/biscuits—using standardized questionnaires. Spearman correlations were used to assess for associations between various social factors and the frequency of maternal and child consumption of the five food categories. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences in child consumption patterns by age groups.ResultsThough reported soda consumption was low among both mothers and children, nearly 60% of children consumed sweets and chips/biscuits daily, four to five times the rate of mothers. Factors associated with children’s frequent consumption of UPF/SSB included lower maternal education level, frequent maternal consumption of UPF/SSB, greater number of household members, greater amount of money given to the child, and closer proximity to a store.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate social factors that may promote UPF/SSB consumption. The nutritional dangers of sugary drinks and non-nutritious snacks for mothers and young children should be addressed across maternal–child health, education, and social service programs. Early childhood nutrition interventions should involve the entire family and community and emphasize the need to limit children’s consumption of unhealthy foods and beverages from an early age.