Rural, urban calorie intake down in 2023-24

The average daily calorie intake per consumer unit declined to 2,383 kcal in 2023-24 from 2,407 kcal in 2022-23, while in urban areas it fell to 2,472 kcal from 2,488 kcal over the same period, according to a government report released on Monday.

In urban areas, Uttar Pradesh recorded the lowest average calorie intake at 2,303 kcal in 2023-24. In rural areas, Meghalaya had the lowest at 2,087 kcal.

While 15 states/UTs in rural areas recorded a decline in calorie intake in 2023-24 from the year before, the number was 12 in urban areas.

Consumer unit is a measure used to account the energy requirement of a group of people based on different sectors, gender, and age-group, according to the report titled ' Nutritional Intake in India.' "The 'per consumer unit' calorie intake estimate considers the difference in calorie requirements among persons on account of age and gender differences and thereby serve as a sharper indicator of adequacy of intake than the 'per capita' figures," the report said.

Protein consumption in rural areas fell marginally to 66.6 gm in 2023-24 from 66.7 gm in the year before in rural areas. In urban areas, it remained the same at 69.9 gm in both years. Cereals continue to be the major source of protein intake, with a share of 45.9% in rural areas and 38.7% in urban areas in 2023-24. Egg, fish, and meat are next, accounting for a share of 12.4% and 14.1% in rural and urban areas, respectively.

In contrast, fat intake in rural areas rose to 65.1 gm in 2023-24 from 64.4 gm in 2022-23. However, in urban areas it declined to 77 gm from 78 gm during the same period.