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UN Statistical Commission adopts a new indicator on Minimum Dietary Diversity

Last updated on March 18th, 2025 Posted on March 12, 2025 by NEXT IAS Current Affairs Team  311

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

  • A new indicator on Minimum Dietary Diversity has been adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission.

About

  • FAO and UNICEF share custodianship of the new SDG indicator on Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD).
  • MDD indicator addresses a key gap in tracking progress toward SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and the 2030 Agenda.
  • The indicator was adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission during its 56th session.
  • MDD inclusion is a part of the 2025 Comprehensive Review of the SDG indicator framework.
United Nations Statistical Commission
– It was established in 1946.
– It is the highest body of the global statistical system bringing together the Chief Statisticians from member states.
– It is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities, responsible for setting of statistical standards and the development of concepts and methods, including their implementation.

About Indicator on Minimum Dietary Diversity

  • MDD-C & MDD-W: The new MDD indicator measures dietary diversity for children (MDD-C) and women of reproductive age (MDD-W).
  • Indicator Definition: MDD-W is a simple yes/no measure based on whether women have consumed at least five out of 10 defined food groups in the past 24 hours.
    • 10 Food Groups: Include grains, pulses, nuts, milk, meat, eggs, dark leafy vegetables, vitamin A-rich fruits/veggies, other vegetables, and other fruits.
  • Importance of Diversity: Dietary diversity is essential for preventing malnutrition and supporting overall health, growth, and well-being.
  • Focus on Quality: MDD emphasizes the variety of foods consumed, not just calorie intake, highlighting the importance of nutritious diets for health, growth, and well-being.
  • FAO & UNICEF Roles: FAO oversees MDD-W, while UNICEF is responsible for MDD-C.
  • Higher MDD Scores: A higher proportion of women meeting MDD thresholds indicates better vitamin and mineral intake.

Significance

  • Quality of Diets: MDD adds a crucial measure of dietary quality to existing food security and nutrition indicators.
  • Dietary Impact: MDD provides a tool for policy-making, program evaluation, and target-setting, focusing on vulnerable groups.
  • Critical Step Forward: MDD helps track progress on achieving SDG 2.
  • Future Impact: Elevates the importance of dietary diversity and food systems transformation, ensuring its place in post-SDG diet monitoring.

India’s Progress in SDG2

india's progress in sdg2
  • Improvement in overall composite score of Goal 2 moving from Aspirant category in SDG India Index 3 (2020-21) to Performer category in the SDG India Index 4 (2023-24)
    • 99.01% of beneficiaries covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
    • Improvement in productivity of rice and wheat from 2995.21 kg/ha in 2018-19 to 3052.25 kg/ha in TE 2021-22.
    • Increase in Gross Value Added (GVA) (constant prices) in agriculture per worker from ₹ 0.71 lakhs in 2018-19 to ₹ 0.86 lakhs in 2022-23.
Sustainable Development Goals
– The United Nations General Assembly, during its 70th Session in 2015, adopted the document titled “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” 
– This outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets. 
– The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, came into force from 2016. 

Sustainable Development Goals

Source: DTE

 
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