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Interviews | Dr R Hemalatha, Director of ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, interviewed by Archana Jyoti (The Pioneer)
Dr R Hemalatha, Director of ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, interviewed by Archana Jyoti (The Pioneer)

Dr R Hemalatha, Director of ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, interviewed by Archana Jyoti (The Pioneer)

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published Published on Sep 4, 2022   modified Modified on Sep 5, 2022

-The Pioneer

Every year, India observes September as Poshan Maah (nutritional month) to raise awareness about proper eating habits and also about nutrition. Speaking to ARCHANA JYOTI, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition Director, Dr R Hemalatha, discusses in length about the nutrition landscape of India, the proposed revision of the dietary guidelines, the need for increased focus on maternal nutrition and the reasons behind India's sluggish performance on key maternal and child nutrition indicators among others.

* ICMR-NIN is revising the dietary guidelines after a decade, which are practical recommendations for ensuring holistic nutrition to maintain health. Could you share in detail about the new regulations and when are those being released and the envisioned impact?

Dietary guidelines are a translation of scientific knowledge on nutrients into specific dietary advice. The present guidelines focus on a food-based approach (in terms of quantity and quality) for attaining optimal nutrition; and represent the recommended amounts of nutrients in terms of foods that should be consumed. Emphasis is on positive recommendations which can maximize protective effects through use of a variety of foods in tune with traditional habits. The goals set with respect to certain food groups and food items such as whole grains, legumes, milk and vegetables/fruits are intended to encourage appropriate policy decisions. Suitable messages for each of the guidelines have been highlighted.

* Malnutrition affects women and girls disproportionately. Could you elaborate on ways to take a more holistic approach on addressing malnutrition, specifically from a gender perspective?

Yes, women are more vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies due to dietary inadequacies coupled with inequitable practices at the individual, household, and community levels. A girl child or adolescent’s undernutrition will perpetuate the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. If a pregnant woman is undernourished, by the time she receives any nutrition advice or supplement, she is well into the second trimester of pregnancy by which time most of her baby’s organ development and imprinting has occurred. Hence, in addition to the critical 1000 days window (from conception to 2 years of age of the child), safety networks must prioritize the pre-conception period for optimal outcomes. This period could be several months before conception. When a young woman is planning for pregnancy, she must be screened for anemia, undernutrition, thyroid dysfunction, and PCOD. She also needs to be counseled about the right age for her first pregnancy, treated for anemia and must receive adequate training on healthy dietary habits, personal hygiene, and infant care. In addition, other issues such as overweight/obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, lack of adequate physical activity, sanitation, and hygiene should be addressed.

It is imperative that the nutritional status of women before pregnancy or pre-conception period is prioritized.

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Image Courtesy: The Pioneer


The Pioneer, 4 September, 2022, https://www.dailypioneer.com/2022/sunday-edition/---india-passing-through-multi-dimensional-nutrition-issues---.html


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