DIETARY

DIVERSIFICATION

Presentation
By
Group 5
Group Members
• Aliyu Umar Isah BMS/19/NTD/00327
• Abubakar Dauda. BMS/19/NTD/00233
• Bashir Shuaibu. BMS/19/NTD/00256
• Husna Ibrahim. BMS/19/NTD/00267
• Wasila Yahuza Alhassan. BMS/21/NTD)00819
• Maryam Yahaya Shehu. BMS/20/NTD)00596
• Amos Charity Gift. BMS/20/BTD/00585
• Maryam Sabo Aliyu. BMS/19/NTD/00306
• Fatima Adam. BMS/19/NTD/00237
• Nusaiba Abdullahi Aliyu. BMS/19/NTD/00226
• Hauwa'u Umar Alhassan BMS/19/NTD/00328
 INTRODUCTION
Monotonous diets based mainly on energy dense, but micronutrient poor starchy staples are common in food insecure areas
and contribute to the burden of malnutrition, particularly inadequate micronutrient intake.
Food-based strategies have been recommended as the first priority to meet micronutrient needs. An essential element to food-
based approaches involves dietary diversification or consumption of a wide variety of foods across nutritionally distinct food
groups. Increasing dietary diversity is associated with increased household food access as well as individual probability of
adequate micronutrient intake. Dietary diversity is measured as the number of individual food items
DEFINITION
• Food or dietary diversification refers to the practice of consuming a
variety of different foods and nutrients in one's diet.
• This approach aims to ensure that individuals obtain a wide range of
essential nutrients and reduce the risk of deficiencies and chronic
diseases.
• It involves incorporating different food groups, including fruits,
vegetables, grains, proteins, and fats, and varying food choices within
each group.
• Diversification can enhance overall health, improve nutritional balance,
and make meals more interesting and enjoyable.
METHODS OF MEASURING DIETARY
DIVERSIFICATION
• Measuring dietary or food diversification involves assessing
the variety and balance of different food types in a diet. Here
are some common methods:
• Diverse Food Count;This method involves counting the
number of different food items or food groups consumed
over a specific period. For example, the Dietary Diversity
Score (DDS) measures the number of distinct food groups
consumed.
• Food Variety Score (FVS); This method scores the variety of
foods consumed within a specific timeframe. It often involves
assigning points for each different food item or food group.
• Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ): This tool assesses how
frequently specific foods or food groups are consumed over a
defined period. It provides insight into the overall variety and
frequency of consumption.
• 24-Hour Dietary Recall;This method involves asking individuals to
recall all foods and beverages consumed in the past 24 hours. The
data can be analyzed for dietary diversity by examining the variety
of foods reported.
• Food Group Index (FGI); This method evaluates dietary diversity
based on the consumption of pre-defined food groups, typically
using a scoring system to assess the balance and variety within
those groups.
• Dietary Diversity Indicators;These are specific indices, such as the
Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) or Minimum
Dietary Diversity for Children (MDD-C), which assess dietary
diversity against set thresholds to evaluate nutritional adequacy
 Guidelines for Measuring Dietary
Diversification
 Define the food groups: establish clear categories(e.g. fruits, vegetables, whole
grains ,protein sources).
 Choose a measurement tool: select a suitable method (FFQ, 24 hours recall,
dietary diversity score).
 Set a recall period: the time frame for data collection.
 Quantify portion sizes: Estimate or measure the amount of each food consume.
 Include all food sources: account for all food consumed, including snacks and
beverages.
 account for frequency and variety: assess how often and how many different
food are consumed.
 Consider the nutrient adequacy: evaluate the nutrient intake adequacy based
on variety .
 Use a standardized scoring system: apply a consistent scoring system (DDS,
FVS).
 Adjust for seasonal and cultural differences
 Ensure that the measuring tool is accurate and reliable
Dietary diversification questionnaire
• A dietary diversification questionnaire is designed to assess the variety in a person's diet,
which can be important for nutritional health.
• Dietary Diversification Questionnaire usually include;
• Personal Information such as name,age and gender and occupation
• General Dietary Habits:
 How many meals do you eat in a day?
 How many snacks do you consume daily?
 Do you follow any specific dietary plan or restriction (e.g., vegetarian, gluten free diet)
• Food Variety:
 How many different types of fruits do you eat in a week?
 How many different types of vegetables do you consume weekly?
• Grains and Cereals;
 How many different types of grains or cereals do you include in your diet (e.g., rice,
wheat, oats)?
 How often do you eat whole grains versus refined grains?
• Fat Sources:
 What types of fats do you consume regularly (e.g., butter, olive oil, nuts, seeds)?
• The questionnaire can also includes;
 Beverages (types of beverages consumed and how often
sugary and caffeinated beverages are consume)?
 Meal planning( Are meals planned ahead of time and how
often new recipe are tried)?
Health goals such as weight loss, muscle gain and
improved energy levels
 Eating out
 Supplements use
 Dietary diversification score
• Dietary Diversity Score: The dietary diversity score
DDS is a metric used to assess the variety of food in
an individuals diet. It is calculated by summing the
number of unique food groups or items consumed
over a given period, usually 24hours or a week.
A higher DDS indicates a more varied diet, which can
be associated with better overall nutritional quality
and health outcomes. The score can help identify
dietary patterns, guide nutrition interventions, and
monitor changes in dietary habits.
 Relationship Between Dietary diversity and
Nutrient Density
The dietary diversification and nutrient density are closely related concept:
Dietary diversification refers to consuming variety of food aiming to including multiple group
items while nutrient density measures the amount of essential nutrients(e.g. vitamins,
minerals, proteins, healthy fats) per unit of energy(calorie) in a food or diet.
The relationship between dietary diversity and nutrient density are as follows;
• Diverse diets tend to be more nutrient dense: eating a variety of foods increases the
likelihood of consuming a broad range of essential nutrients.
• Nutrient dense food support dietary diversity: Foods high in nutrients(e.g. fruits,
vegetables, whole grains) contribute to a diverse diet.
• Dietary diversity ensures adequate nutrient intake: Consuming a variety of foods helps
ensure adequate intake of essentials nutrients, reducing the risk of nutrient deficiencies.
• Synergistic effects: Combining diverse, nutrient-dense foods can create synergistic
effects.
Advantages and Limitations of
Dietary Diversification
Advantages limitation
• Improved nutrient intake. • Accessibility and affordability.
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases • Cultural and personal
• support healthy weight preference.
management.
• Nutrient imbalance.
• promote healthy gut.
• Overconsumption of calorie.
• enhance food security.
• support sustainable agriculture
• Time and convenience
constrain.
• Fosters culinary innovations..
• Individual variability.
• Reduce nutrient deficiencies
 CONCLUSION
In conclusion dietary diversification is a simple yet powerful strategy for
achieving optimal health and well-being. It’s a vital aspect of healthy diet that
offers numerous benefits, including improved nutrient intake, reduce chronic
disease risk, and enhance overall well-being. While there are limitations and
challenges to consider, the advantages of dietary diversification far outweight
the limitations.
REFERENCE
1. Lee-Kwan et al. (2020). Dietary diversity and risk of chronic disease: A systematic review. Nutrients, 12(11), 2941.

2. Zhang et al. (2020). Dietary diversity and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 112(3), 537-548.

3. O'Neil et al. (2021). Dietary diversity and cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 79(2), 537-553.

4. Kim et al. (2021). Dietary diversity and gut microbiota: A systematic review. Nutrients, 13(11), 3910.

5. Ruel et al. (2022). Dietary diversity and nutrient adequacy in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Nutrition Reviews, 80(1), 1-15.