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Introduction to Nutriplanet

What is NutriPlanet ?

Danone analyses nutritional situation in all countries where it operates using a specialized study methodology called “NutriPlanet”. The objective of this study is to understand the nutritional context for each country, including dietary habits and cultural/lifestyle trends in order to offer products and services specifically tailored for the needs of local consumers.

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Nutrition scenario in India:

India, the world's largest democracy and second most populous country, has emerged as a fast- growing and powerful economy. Educational attainment of a country's population is an important indicator of the stock of human capital and its level of socio economic development. The effective literacy rate of India is 74% (men: 82%; women: 65%) with the gender gap in literacy rate steadily decreasing.

Health indicators of the nation reveal a steady decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) from 129 deaths per 1000 live births in 1971 to 48 in 2010. Maternal Mortality (MMR) has also declined from 460 in 1984 to 200 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010 (Annual health report, 2010). With higher under-five mortality (63%) and Neonatal Mortality (32%) rates, India is performing poorer in terms of health indicators as compared to several other countries.

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In last 20 years there has been improvement in the nutrition status in the country.

This improvement has resulted from not only changes in food intake but also socioeconomic factors, increased availability of portable water, lower morbidity and improvement in health facility. For the average rural Indian spending has more than doubled on buying fruits, vegetables and milk products in the last 5 years whereas expenditure on cereals and pulses has increased by 33 to 75% (National Sample Survey Organization, NSSO data)

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In recognition of the magnitude of high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, India was the first country to launch prophylaxis program to prevent nutrition blindness due to Vitamin A deficiency and National nutrition anemia control program to combat iron deficiency. Integrated Child development services (ICDS) scheme is one of the most ambitious programs which provides holistic intervention in nutrition, health and education to expectant and nursing mothers, women in the reproductive age group and children below the age of 6 years.

Data from National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) reports indicated that under nutrition rates in both men and women have decreased and over nutrition rates have increased over the last three decades. Currently the country is the midst of rapid socioeconomic, demographic, nutrition and health transition. While the country has still to overcome the burden of poverty, under nutrition and communicable disease; there is an increase in non-communicable diseases. Prioritizing one extreme of malnutrition over the other is difficult, but under nutrition, especially in children less than 5 years of age continues to be the main focus of research and health care programs.

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NutriPlanet

Nutricia India scientifically substantiated its initial assessment of India's nutritional status through Nutriplanet, with the focus on children (0-5 years) and pregnant and lactating women. We conducted a bibliographic research and reviewed publications, National and International agency reports on nutritional status of pregnant / breastfeeding / childbearing age women and children (0-5 years). To complement the research data we also interviewed 35 experts in the field of health and nutrition across the country. This study was initiated in January 2013 and completed in September 2013.

References

  1. Annual Report to the People on Health, 2010. Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,September 2010
  2. National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) 68th round, 2012. (press release)
  3. National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) 1979-2006. NNMB Reports. National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.