Links between protein-source diversity, household behavior, and protein consumption inadequacy in the Indian rural semi-arid tropics
Our study analyzes the determinants, sources, and levels of protein consumption among 785 households across nine districts in six Indian states in the semi-arid tropics. We found that 80% of these households consumed less protein than recommended and relied on cereals for 60–75% of their protein int...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1490050/full |
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| author | Shalander Kumar Soumitra Pramanik Soumitra Pramanik Thomas Reardon Thomas Reardon E. Revathi |
| author_facet | Shalander Kumar Soumitra Pramanik Soumitra Pramanik Thomas Reardon Thomas Reardon E. Revathi |
| author_sort | Shalander Kumar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Our study analyzes the determinants, sources, and levels of protein consumption among 785 households across nine districts in six Indian states in the semi-arid tropics. We found that 80% of these households consumed less protein than recommended and relied on cereals for 60–75% of their protein intake. Notably, even when protein-rich foods are accessible to households, they still consume them insufficiently. We found that their protein intake deficiency is driven by a lack of diversity of protein sources (in particular, legumes, millets, and livestock), as well as by a dearth of women's education and role in household decision-making and low incomes and assets. We advocate for initiatives to raise nutrition awareness, empower women, and adopt a nutrition-centric farming approach. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dd59cfb87e2442ef9d048d80e8b65a0a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2571-581X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
| spelling | doaj-art-dd59cfb87e2442ef9d048d80e8b65a0a2025-02-04T06:31:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-02-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.14900501490050Links between protein-source diversity, household behavior, and protein consumption inadequacy in the Indian rural semi-arid tropicsShalander Kumar0Soumitra Pramanik1Soumitra Pramanik2Thomas Reardon3Thomas Reardon4E. Revathi5International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, Telangana, IndiaInternational Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad, Telangana, IndiaThe Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad, Telangana, IndiaMichigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United StatesInternational Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC, United StatesThe Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad, Telangana, IndiaOur study analyzes the determinants, sources, and levels of protein consumption among 785 households across nine districts in six Indian states in the semi-arid tropics. We found that 80% of these households consumed less protein than recommended and relied on cereals for 60–75% of their protein intake. Notably, even when protein-rich foods are accessible to households, they still consume them insufficiently. We found that their protein intake deficiency is driven by a lack of diversity of protein sources (in particular, legumes, millets, and livestock), as well as by a dearth of women's education and role in household decision-making and low incomes and assets. We advocate for initiatives to raise nutrition awareness, empower women, and adopt a nutrition-centric farming approach.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1490050/fullprotein malnutritionconsumption determinantshousehold fixed effectsnutrition securitysemi-arid tropics |
| spellingShingle | Shalander Kumar Soumitra Pramanik Soumitra Pramanik Thomas Reardon Thomas Reardon E. Revathi Links between protein-source diversity, household behavior, and protein consumption inadequacy in the Indian rural semi-arid tropics Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems protein malnutrition consumption determinants household fixed effects nutrition security semi-arid tropics |
| title | Links between protein-source diversity, household behavior, and protein consumption inadequacy in the Indian rural semi-arid tropics |
| title_full | Links between protein-source diversity, household behavior, and protein consumption inadequacy in the Indian rural semi-arid tropics |
| title_fullStr | Links between protein-source diversity, household behavior, and protein consumption inadequacy in the Indian rural semi-arid tropics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Links between protein-source diversity, household behavior, and protein consumption inadequacy in the Indian rural semi-arid tropics |
| title_short | Links between protein-source diversity, household behavior, and protein consumption inadequacy in the Indian rural semi-arid tropics |
| title_sort | links between protein source diversity household behavior and protein consumption inadequacy in the indian rural semi arid tropics |
| topic | protein malnutrition consumption determinants household fixed effects nutrition security semi-arid tropics |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1490050/full |
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