Minimum Dietary Diversity and Its Determinants among Children Aged 6-60 Months in Rural Puducherry.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and explore its associated determinants among children aged 6-60 months in rural Puducherry.

Methods: 143 children aged 6-60 months were selected from rural areas of Puducherry using systematic random sampling in a cross-sectional study conducted between January and February 2024. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices. MDD was defined as the consumption of at least five of eight food groups for children aged 6-24 months and seven food groups for children aged 25-60 months. Sociodemographic factors, food group consumption, and anthropometric measurements were also recorded. Statistical analysis involved Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression to identify associations between MDD and various factors.

Results: 55.24% of the children achieved MDD. Children aged 25-60 months (P < 0.001) and those with mothers over 30 years old (P = 0.001) were significantly more likely to meet MDD. Underweight (P = 0.001) and severely underweight children (P = 0.001) had a lower likelihood of achieving MDD. Factors such as gender, birth order, and socioeconomic status were not significantly associated with MDD.

Conclusion: Despite a higher MDD rate than the national average, a substantial proportion of children in rural Puducherry do not meet dietary diversity standards, particularly younger (< 24 months) and underweight children.