Urvashi Mehlawat ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Science, Manav Rachna International University, Delhi-Suraj Kund Road, Sector-43, Faridabad, IN

Abstract

Dietary diversity scores are created by summing either the number of individual foods or food groups consumed over a reference period to capture the nutrient adequacy of an individual or household. Dietary diversity scores have been positively correlated with increased mean micronutrient density, adequacy of complementary foods and micronutrient adequacy of the diet in non-breast feeding children, adolescents and adults. The present study was undertaken to assess the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) of college going students (17-21 years) residing in Gurgaon, Haryana and its association with their family income. A total of 60 respondents from DSD Government College and DPG Institute of Technology and Management were selected randomly. A questionnaire cum interview schedule was prepared to collect respondents' general background information and socio-economic profile. The food intake of the respondents was recorded by 24 h dietary recall (two days) and Food Frequency Questionnaire method (FFQ). Dietary Diversity Score (ranging from 1 to 13) were assigned and mean DDS was calculated. Majority of the students (46.6%) consumed six food groups, 35% had five food groups, 11.6% took seven food groups and equal percentage (3.3%) of students had eight and four food groups out of total of 13 food groups. Mean DDS of respondents was 5.75±0.82. DDS significantly increased with the increasing family income. Dietary intake of the college going students needs an improvement to increase their DDS. Foods from all the food groups should be included in the diet.

Keywords

Dietary Diversity Score, Nutrient Adequacy, Micronutrient, Adolescents, Socio-Economic Profile, Food Groups.

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