Dietary Intake and Rural-Urban Migration in India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

BackgroundMigration from rural areas of India contributes to urbanisation and lifestyle change, and dietary changes may increase the risk of obesity and chronic diseases. We tested the hypothesis that rural-to-urban migrants have different macronutrient and food group intake to rural non-migrants, and that migrants have a diet more similar to urban non-migrants.Methods and findingsThe diets of migrants of rural origin, their rural dwelling sibs, and those of urban origin together with their urban dwelling sibs were assessed by an interviewer-administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A total of 6,509 participants were included. Median energy intake in the rural, migrant and urban groups was 2731, 3078, and 3224 kcal respectively for men, and 2153, 2504, and 2644 kcal for women (p<0.001). A similar trend was seen for overall intake of fat, protein and carbohydrates (p<0.001), though differences in the proportion of energy from these nutrients were <2%. Migrant and urban participants reported up to 80% higher fruit and vegetable intake than rural participants (p<0.001), and up to 35% higher sugar intake (p<0.001). Meat and dairy intake were higher in migrant and urban participants than rural participants (p<0.001), but varied by region. Sibling-pair analyses confirmed these results. There was no evidence of associations with time in urban area.ConclusionsRural to urban migration appears to be associated with both positive (higher fruit and vegetables intake) and negative (higher energy and fat intake) dietary changes. These changes may be of relevance to cardiovascular health and warrant public health interventions.

Nutritional Profiles of Urban and Rural Men of Punjab with Regard to Dietary Fat Intake

“…Similar to the present findings, previous studies also reported that the total fat intake was higher in urban (48 g/day) compared with rural (36 g/day) areas (Bowen et al 2011;NSSO 2007). Computations also suggest that 25% of all available fat is consumed by the rural population, while 40% of all edible fat available in India is being consumed by 5% of the total population (i.e., 20% of the urban population that constitutes the "urban-rich") (Shetty 2005).…”

“…Many studies provide the data on total fat intake by Indian population (NNMB 1996;NSSO 2001;Pandey et al 2004;NSSO 2007;Bowen et al 2011;Dixit and Das 2012). However, data on intake of the type of fat/oil and individual fatty acids is scanty (Goyal, Sadana, and Verma 2005;Gupta, Songra, and Gupta 1997;Kaur and Hira 1997).…”

Macro-nutrient intake of reproductive age group women: findings of a community based study from rural Varanasi

“…Migrant women had similar proportions of energy from saturated fat as rural women. 15 In spite that measuring parameter were different, it appears that macro nutrient intake have been more than the observed value in present study.…”

Place of Residence and Cognitive Function among the Adult Population in India

“…In India, adults with higher BMI are perceived to be at higher levels of SES. Individuals with higher income are more likely to afford and consume energy-dense diets and are less likely to be physically active [21, 44]; thus increasing the likelihood of developing obesity [45]. In our study, people with higher BMI (and diabetes) were more likely to be urban residents, rural-to-urban migrants, or urban-to-urban migrants.…”