A new indicator on Minimum Dietary Diversity has been adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission.
Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD)– It is a yes/no indicator that measures whether individuals consume at least 5 out of 10 defined food groups within a 24-hour period.
The 10 food groups include:
Grains
White roots, tubers, and plantains
Pulses (beans, peas, lentils)
Nuts and seeds
Milk and milk products
Meat, poultry, and fish
Eggs
Dark green leafy vegetables
Vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables
Other vegetables and fruits
Adopted as– A new indicator on Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) to track progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).
Global indicator framework – This indicator adds to the nearly 250 indicators that are already monitored under the global indicator framework for the SDGs adopted in 2017.
Managed by – The indicator would be managed jointly by FAO and UNICEF.
Target Groups– Children and women of reproductive age.
MDD-W (Women aged 15-49) – FAO is the custodian agency.
MDD-C (Children) – UNICEF is the custodian agency.
Significance for Global Nutrition – The MDD indicator addresses a critical gap in SDG monitoring by:
Shifting focus from mere calorie intake to nutritional quality.
Recognizing that no single food group provides all essential nutrients.
Highlighting the importance of dietary diversity in preventing micronutrient deficiencies.
Particularly targeting vulnerable populations: children and women of reproductive age.
Relevance for India– For India, with its dual challenges of undernutrition and rising non-communicable diseases, the MDD indicator offers:
A tool to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition schemes like POSHAN Abhiyaan.
Metrics to address regional and socioeconomic disparities in diet quality.
Framework for designing targeted dietary interventions.
Alignment with India's commitment to achieving the SDGs by 2030.
