Dietary Diversity Score and its Associated Factors in Salem and Namakkal Districts

Dietary diversity is defined as the amount of various foods or food groups that are consumed over a period of specific reference time. Increasing the variety of foods and food groups in the diet helps to ensure adequate intake of essential nutrients. The present study was undertaken to assess the dietary diversity score and its associated factors. A total number of 32 households were selected from both urban and rural areas of Salem and Namakkal districts. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between 23^rd August 2018 and 10^th September 2018 with the help of questionnaire which contained general information, socio economic status and 24 hour recall method. Dietary diversity score was computed for 10 food groups that were commonly consumed by Indians. Among the total number of 32 households, the average dietary diversity score of the participants was 7. Majority of the households (53.1%) were spending about 3000 to 5000 INR per month for purchasing food. The results revealed that the monthly income, expenditure on food, dietary pattern and occupation of the household had a positive influence with Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS).