Consumption Pattern of Micronutrient Rich Foods to Fight Corona Virus

Frequency of fruits and vegetable consumption is collected as they are rich sources of micronutrients and antioxidants necessary to build immunity. Semi structured questionnaire was used for collection of data. Two hundred and thirty middle-income families were randomly selected from Hyderabad. Demographic profile and frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables was collected. Religion wise, Hindus and Muslims constituted 87.5 and 81.5 percent respectively Majority are nuclear families, 85.7 percent in Hindus and 14.3 percent in Muslims. Respondents age ranged between 20-80 years. Fruit consumption pattern was reported considering Hindus and Muslims as one group as the differences are not significant. Among the regularly available fruits, apple is consumed by 17.4 daily, being highest percent and lowest is for guava 0.8 percent. Among the imported fruits, strawberry is consumed by 0.8 percent daily. IN the seasonal fruits group 6.5 percent took custard apple daily while lowest of 0.4 percent was for grapes and wood apple. Of the eleven fruits listed jackfruit, watermelon, mango and gooseberry are not taken daily but are consumed in greater percentage at other times in the season. Among root vegetables seven are listed and carrot is consumed by 7.8 percent, Potato and radish are consumed by 0.4 percent daily. Colacasia. , sweet potato and yamare not consumed daily. Comparing the overall consumption of fruits, root vegetables and green leafy vegetables daily consumption in all categories is very low which is 6.1, 2.6 and 11.7 percent respectively. Conclusion is that there is a need to think of NUTRITION SECURITY by making fruits and vegetables accessible to all categories of people at affordable prices.