Dietary Diversity Within Food Groups and Nutrient Adequacy in Girls

Variety in diets not only attracts the children but it provides the bulk of nutrients required at this age of pre-puberty in them. The adequate amount of nutrient intake is the prerequisite for good health, physical, emotional and cognitive development. Dietary diversity ensures nutrient adequacy. Dietary diversity scores are a promising method for identifying population at increased risk of malnutrition or nutrient deficiency diseases in the community. For maintaining and sustaining a good health, the need to select a diet varied in whole grains, fruits and vegetables limit fat intake. By increasing the diversity of fruit and vegetables, the amount of antioxidant vitamins increases. Diversity in food also needed because the action of many nutrients is dependent on the presence of others.