Maternal Dietary Diversity

Women of reproductive age need nutrient-rich diets to avoid micronutrient deficiencies that can impact their own health and the health of their children. Improving dietary diversity is crucial for addressing these deficiencies. Maternal Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD) is defined as consuming at least 5 out of 10 food groups within a 24-hour period. Women consuming fewer than 5 food groups are considered to have insufficient dietary diversity, while those consuming 5-10 food groups are deemed to have adequate diversity.

Source: FAO and FHI 360. Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women-A Guide to Measurement: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; 2016.

Maternal Minimum Dietary Diversity by Equity Quintile

From 2017 to 2022, considerable progress was achieved in both the highest and lowest Equity quintiles. However, despite these advancements, the gap between these two quintiles remained unchanged between 2017 and 2022.

Maternal Minimum Dietary Diversity by Caste / Ethnicity

Between 2017 and 2022, both marginalized as well as Brahmin and Chhetri communities experienced remarkable progress, with the former progressing by 11 percentage points and the latter by 10 percentage points. As a result, there was a slight narrowing of the gap between these two groups.

Maternal Minimum Dietary Diversity by Agro-Ecological Zones

Between 2017 and 2022, significant progress was observed in all three agro-ecological zones. The mountain region achieved the most substantial increase of 19 percentage points, while the terai region showed the least progress, with only an 8 percentage point increase during the same period. Consequently, due to the different rates of progress, the gap between the mountain region and the other two regions has widened considerably.

56%

2017

60%

2022

4 percentage point increase in the number of mothers of children under two consuming animal source food like eggs and meat

8%

2017

30%

2022

22 percentage point increase in the number of households, with a homestead garden that met the minimum criteria set by Suaahara

5.8

2017

8.4

2022

Number of months the kitchen gardens provide enough nutritious vegetables to feed the family.