The Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad has emphasised that children need to develop good eating habits from infancy onwards. Dr. Bharati Kulkarni, who heads the institute, made this point while speaking to a visiting group of journalists from Uttarakhand. The remarks highlight growing concern about poor nutrition and rising weight problems among Indian children.
What the Institute Does and Why It Matters
ICMR–NIN produces three key reference materials that shape how India approaches food and nutrition. The Indian Food Composition Tables contain detailed nutritional information—including energy, protein, and mineral content—of Indian foods. These tables are used by researchers, food manufacturers, and health officials.
The institute also publishes the Nutrient Requirements for Indians and Recommended Dietary Allowances, which set nutritional targets for different age groups and physiological conditions. This document forms the basis of India’s nutrition programmes and welfare schemes.
The Dietary Guidelines for Indians, another product of the institute, recommends that children under two years should have zero added sugar in their diet. Dr. Kulkarni stressed that establishing healthy eating patterns early is crucial for lifelong wellbeing.
The institute is also conducting research on indigenous crops grown in Uttarakhand, including Mandua, Jhangora, Cholai, and Koda, to document their nutritional value. Studies are underway examining whether eating ragi, or finger millet, can help reduce anemia.
What This Means for You
India faces a dual nutrition problem: some people do not eat enough or get enough micronutrients, while others consume too much food high in fat, sugar, and salt, leading to obesity and related diseases. Simply having access to food is not enough; families need to eat a variety of foods and make deliberate choices about what they consume. Parents and caregivers should be aware that sugar should be avoided entirely for infants under two, and that developing good eating habits early can prevent health problems later in life. Media and health workers have a responsibility to share accurate, science-based information about nutrition rather than promote dietary fads.