Is the normal diet intake of children in India adequate?
The normal population of Indian cities consists of lower socio-economic classes who stay in slums and the middle and upper socio-economic classes who stay in proper housing facilities. Children in slums do not have access to proper food due to cost whereas children from middle and upper class do not eat proper food. They eat food which is tasty but is poor in vitamins and minerals. Dietary habits of these children now have changed to “fast food” and consists of biscuits, pastas, pizza, French fries, wafers, vada-pav, samosa, pastries and other oily food which has high fat content but poor nutrition for vital elements. Thus such food may provide calories but not other elements.

Thus, children in urban India tend to nutritionally poor. Infact as per the Human Development Report prepared by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the premier city of India, Mumbai has 45.4% of its children below 5 years as stunted and 32.6% are underweight.

What is the ideal diet or children in urban India?
While quantity of food is measured by its fat, carbohydrate and protein content, the quality of food is determined by its vitamin and mineral content. At least 45 elements and compounds are needed by human cells, absence of any one of them can lead to illness. No single food offers all 45 nutrients and thus one should eat a balanced diet consisting of vegetables, fruits, dal, chapatti/rice and milk/milk products. Over cooking the food should be avoided as it destroys the vitamins and minerals.

What other precautions can be taken?
Other common problem is children tend to have low birth weight if mothers are nutritionally deprived. These children tend to be underweight as they grow and mothers may not be able to provide proper care for them. Thus mothers should eat proper diet and ensure proper diet to their children.

What supplementary feeding options can be given to these children?
In India supplementary feeding schemes in form of mid-day meal program, fortification of food such as iodized salt are already available to promote normal growth and development in children. However supplement of other micronutrients such as vitamin A, C, D, iron, zinc and other essential vitamins and minerals is needed to prevent childhood malnutrition which can be overcome by eating a balanced diet and by micronutrient supplements.

What would one comments on nutritional status of children in India?
In India, over time, nutrition problems have evolved and currently with urbanization obesity but vitamin and mineral depleted state is rising whereas in rural areas undernutrition due to poor access to food exists simultaneously. The problem of iron and vitamin A deficiency along with other micronutrients still persists in preschoolers.

Correction in diet and modification with scientific nutrition and supplements are key factors in correction of these nutritional deficits.