Hyderabad: Union health minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday launched the Diet and Biomarkers Survey in India (DABS-I), at ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition.

The minster, during his visit to the Institute, visited various labs and interacted with scientists and students. DABS-I, a comprehensive national-level dietary survey, will define food and nutrient adequacy by collecting individual dietary intake data of different age-groups of people from 28 states and eight Union Territories across the country.

The study’s main purpose is to map the diet, nutrition and health status, and provide a correct estimate of anaemia among urban and rural populations using state-of-the-art techniques. The study for the first time will also provide nutrient composition data on cooked and uncooked foods from various regions and states of the country.

“The survey findings will also help develop appropriate strategies and interventions to mitigate the rising overweight and obesity complications in India” said Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General of ICMR.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya in his address encouraged the scientists to find context and culture specific solutions for the problems of malnutrition. He said, “We have been arriving at conclusions about our people’s nutritional status by assessing against the established global indices. The outlook of the scientists and students should now change. Can we develop indices and benchmarks that can be acceptable to us and to the entire world?”

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