Dietary Diversity Score among Beneficiaries and Non-beneficiaries of Public Distribution System in Rural and Urban Telangana

The present study assessed the dietary diversity score and the factors influencing dietary diversity of Pubic Distribution System (PDS) beneficiary and non-beneficiary households in rural and urban areas of Telangana state. Multistage purposive random sampling was used for the selection of three districts, six mandals and 12 each village and urban areas for conducting the study with a total sample of 480 households. The primary data collected through pre-tested interview schedules were analysed using Simpson Index Dietary Diversity (SIDD) score and later multiple linear regression was used to regress socio-economic and demographic variables to assess the influence of these variables on SIDD score. The results revealed that the overall dietary diversity score for rural and urban PDS beneficiaries was 0.86 whereas for rural and urban PDS non-beneficiary households’ SIDD score was 0.82 and 0.83 respectively. The results clearly showed that PDS beneficiary households had higher dietary diversity than non-beneficiaries’ households. Age, household size, education, farmland and livestock possession enhanced dietary diversity, thereby improving the nutritional status of households. Thus, the PDS can play a crucial role in guaranteeing food security. Furthermore, its effectiveness depends on including a variety of food items for distribution, and recommended promoting nutritional education, encouraging the consumption of locally sourced foods through health and nutrition awareness campaigns. In addition, implementing mechanisms for assessment, minimizing leakages and inclusion of eligible households through regular survey can help the vulnerable sections of population to achieve food and nutritional security.