Hyderabad: The nourishment of adolescents continues to be a challenge in India, says a study by the National Institute of Nutrition. The institute studied both the genders’ eating pattern and it was found that there was a decline in millets and animal protein. NIN said many adolescents were going for status foods and suffer undernourishment. Dr B. Sesikeran, an ex-director of NIN, said,
“Proteins from different sources complement each other. In India, people are confused about dietary protein and assume that it is meant only for body builders. Protein is a fundamental nutrient. Vegetarian diets have adequate protein if we include pulses and legumes. However, in the case of cereals and pulses, protein digestibility and bioavailability is around 65 per cent only.” NIN found that in the age-group of 13 to 17, there was a deficit of cereals, pulses and legumes.
Nutritionist Farhad Fathima explained, “Balanced nutrition is important as we often find young girls are too heavy on carbs and less on fibre and proteins.” Experts say that adolescent health has not been given priority. Most of them are eating too much of one type of food. The balance of cereals, pulses, proteins, carbs and fibre is important for the young.
