Gujarat sees sharp rise in fat consumption: NSS Report
The report states that urban residents in Gujarat consumed 89.3g of fat per person per day in 2023–24, up from 68.5g in 2009–10, an increase of 20.8g. This is among the highest across major Indian states, with only Sikkim (112.1g), Chandigarh (101.1g), and Ladakh (91.8g) surpassing Gujarat. Nationally, the average rise in fat consumption in urban areas during this period was 16.8g.
In contrast, the increase in protein intake was far more modest.
The average daily protein consumption in urban Gujarat rose from 56.4g in 2009–10 to 59.4g in 2023–24, an increase of just 3g. This is slightly lower than the national average increase of 4.6g over the same period.
You Can Also Check:
Ahmedabad AQI
|
Weather in Ahmedabad
|
Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad
|
Public Holidays in Ahmedabad
On the calorie front, Gujarat presented a mixed picture. In rural areas, the average daily calorie intake stood at 2,105 kilo calories (Kcal), below the national rural average of 2,212 Kcal. However, in urban areas, the state's average was 2,310 Kcal, higher than the national urban average of 2,240 Kcal.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
The NSS report also highlighted the primary sources of protein in Gujarat's diet. Cereals remain the largest contributor, providing 47.3% of protein in rural areas and 40.4% in urban areas.
This is followed by milk and milk products (15% rural, 16.3% urban), and pulses (10.6% rural, 11.2% urban). Animal-based proteins—fish, meat, and eggs—made up just 3.6% of protein intake in both segments, with the remainder coming from other sources.
Speaking on the findings, Shruti Bhardwaj, chief clinical nutritionist at Zydus Hospital, said that while the rise in calorie and protein intake is encouraging, there's scope for improvement. "Fat, protein, and carbohydrates are all essential macronutrients. The key is maintaining the right balance for optimal body function," she said.
Bhardwaj noted that individual nutritional needs vary depending on age, gender, occupation, and lifestyle. "For instance, a sedentary IT professional may require only 1,600 Kcal daily, not the 2,000 Kcal often recommended. Similarly, while 1 gram of protein per kg of body weight has been the norm, newer studies suggest that 0.8 grams per kg may suffice for most adults," she added.
She also emphasized the importance of dietary innovation to meet nutritional needs. "Simple changes like adding protein-rich ingredients to chapati flour can help meet daily requirements without relying on supplements," she said.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Doctor's Day 2025
,
messages
and quotes!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Not Sci-Fi, But Smart: India's Hospital Revolution Is Rooted in Reality, Say Experts
New Delhi: The term smart hospital often conjures up sci-fi imagery—robotic nurses, AI diagnoses, and error-free systems. But in India's complex healthcare landscape, the reality is far more layered. As the country steadily embraces digital transformation, the idea of the smart hospital is gaining prominence. Yet beyond buzzwords and sleek technology, what truly defines a smart hospital in the Indian context? At ETHealthworld's inaugural edition FutureMedX Summit, industry leaders took a hard look at what it really takes to build intelligent, tech-enabled hospitals in India—not as envisioned in glossy demos, but as implemented in overburdened ICUs, rural clinics, and tier-two cities. Smart hospitals , it turns out, are not about science fiction—they're about solving real problems in real time. In a compelling panel discussion titled 'The Rise of Smart Hospitals: Creating a Digital Health Ecosystem,' experts examined the evolving definition of smart care, patient-centric applications, and the practical challenges of implementing digital health solutions that are intelligent, compassionate, and scalable. The panel featured Viji Varghese , Hospital Director at Manipal Hospital Delhi; Rajiv Sikka , Group CIO of Medanta Hospitals; Dr. Narin Sehgal , Finance Secretary of CAHO and Secretary of AHPI, Delhi State, as well as Medical Director of Sehgal Neo Hospital; Kunal Aggarwal, Founder and Managing Director of Easy Solution Infosystems Pvt. Ltd; and Miraj Shah , Manager at eClinicalWorks India. The panelists discussed how connected ICUs, conversational AI, modular tech adoption, and patient-centric workflows are being practically implemented across different healthcare settings. They emphasized that India's smart hospital journey isn't about leaping into the future—it's about building it step by step, with empathy, interoperability, and measurable impact. Opening the conversation, Varghese noted that a smart hospital is not merely a collection of technologies. Instead, it is about how technology is used to ensure access to information for both providers and patients, so that better decisions can be made and better health outcomes achieved. Rather than being dazzled by devices and dashboards, she stressed the purposeful use of technology—enabling clinicians to deliver more accurate care and empowering patients to participate meaningfully in their own health journeys. Sikka emphasized that technology is essential for maintaining consistency across a growing network of hospitals. His definition of a smart hospital revolves around delivering predictable, standardized, and sustainable experiences for all stakeholders—patients, doctors, nurses, and support staff. Sixteen years ago, Medanta was a single hospital. Today, with six locations, he said it became clear that the patient and doctor experience could not scale without technology. For them, technology has become the great equalizer. He introduced Medanta's 'Triple A' principle—any device, anywhere, anytime—as the foundation of its connected care model. ICU doctors, for instance, no longer need to call junior residents for updates. They can view live bedside monitor readings, ventilator stats, and infusion pump data from handheld devices, allowing real-time decision-making. Sikka also offered an aspirational but achievable vision of reimagining the patient journey—from parking to post-discharge. He asked why patients should wait for hours in the admission lobby, when they could complete pre-admission formalities like KYC and insurance at home. A hospital, he said, should function like a hotel—walk in, check in, and begin care. Once a patient is admitted, the hospital system sends real-time notifications to the designated doctor, nursing unit, housekeeping, F&B, and other departments. With clearly defined turnaround times for vital checks and doctor rounds, the entire process becomes seamless and system-driven. On the post-discharge front, Medanta has developed procedure-specific follow-up pathways. Whether it's a stent placement or orthopedic surgery, patients receive milestone-based reminders and coordinated care through CRM systems, ensuring continuity and reducing readmission risks. Dr. Narin Sehgal brought a deeply human touch to the discussion. While acknowledging the power of technology, he reminded the audience that the real hero of the hospital is the patient. Everything must revolve around them, he said, and technology must never make patients feel threatened. He recalled how patients often express fear and vulnerability before entering the operation theatre, which underlines the need for empathy, communication, and trust—elements that must be built into the design of a smart hospital. Technology is evolving so rapidly, he noted, that even clinicians struggle to keep up. Smartness isn't just about automation, it's about assurance. For him, smart hospitals begin with safety, simplicity, and purpose. He also emphasized the importance of modular, ROI-friendly solutions that are accessible even to smaller hospitals. Kunal Aggarwal echoed the sentiment that technology should never replace people but should instead enable them—whether they're clinicians, back-office staff, or patients. From clinical decision support systems to multilingual videos that ease pre-operative anxiety, he highlighted the need for tech that functions as a supportive partner. Miraj Shah added that the best digital solutions are those that remain invisible yet impactful. Care delivery, he stressed, must always remain front and center. Sikka reinforced these views with examples of transformative technologies already in use at Medanta. ICU monitors, ventilators, and infusion pumps generate over 20,000 data points per patient per day, enabling comprehensive, real-time monitoring. In imaging, AI tools screen chest X-rays for tuberculosis and lung nodules as part of India's largest CSR-led TB-free program. In outpatient departments, conversational AI transcribes doctor-patient interactions into structured prescriptions in real time, saving clinician time and reducing waitlists. Looking ahead, Sikka predicted that the future of healthcare input will be voice—and perhaps, eventually, neural signals. Varghese noted that smart hospitals represent more of a cultural shift than a technological one. Earlier, she said, healthcare was top-down. Now, technology is empowering patients to become active participants in their care. This shift in mindset must extend to both clinicians and administrators. However, she cautioned that despite India's progress in digital health, challenges such as infrastructure costs, skill gaps, and a lack of tailored health information systems (HIS) for smaller hospitals remain significant hurdles. Shah emphasized the importance of partnerships and interoperability, stating that smart hospitals cannot function in silos. They must connect with primary care, startups, public health networks, and national digital platforms like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Aggarwal pointed to scalable innovations such as Aravind Eye Care's tele-ophthalmology model, while Sehgal stressed the need for open APIs and modular systems to avoid vendor lock-ins and enable inclusive growth. Sikka shared that Medanta's AI-powered command centers are already optimizing discharge workflows, medication logistics, and interdepartmental referrals in real time. As for digital twins, he explained that while patient-centric models are still a distant goal due to the lack of long-term electronic medical record data, operational digital twins are already being piloted to manage peak-hour radiology traffic and predictive equipment maintenance. So, what will truly drive India's smart hospital journey? The panelists agreed: smart hospitals are not built on technology stacks alone—they are built on trust, interoperability, informed patients, and collaborative partnerships. India may not yet have universal EMRs or patient digital twins, but with open minds, open APIs, and a people-first approach, the future of Indian healthcare is undeniably smarter.
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Campuses in Coastal K'taka embrace LGBTQ+ students
Representative Image MANGALURU: Academic institutions along the coast of Karnataka have made significant strides toward LGBTQ+ inclusion. These institutions are increasingly opening their doors to create more inclusive academic spaces, a development welcomed by many. Some institutions have established dedicated LGBTQ+ associations, while others actively support the community through various events and awareness programmes. This progressive shift across the education system marks an important movement in fostering diversity and acceptance within academia. "Our campuses have been supportive of LGBTQ, including the student council. Currently, numbers from the community are low at Mangaluru campus, and we are ready to help them form a group," said Dr Bhaskaran Unnikrishnan, dean of Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru. Sandra Sunitha Lobo, professor in Psychology department, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, said their campus has been LGBTQ inclusive for a very long time. "Students have been given the opportunity to express their identity and support those coming out. However, we ask them to be mindful of their classmates who are sensitive about it, or are unaware of their identity," she said, adding that they hold special events as part of the Pride Month, observed in June. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo A postgraduate medical student who is from the LGBTQ community, and is studying at a college near Derlakatte shared that over the years, the narrative and how individuals look at us has changed. "There is more awareness, and people have stopped being judgemental about the queer community. Compared to the older generation, the younger generation is more accepting as they are better informed through social media and through their peers," said the student who was studying in Mangaluru for the past seven years. Campuses are not just being inclusive towards the community, they are even supporting research in the areas pertaining to the community. Dr B Reshmi, associate dean and professor of health information management, Manipal College of Health Professions, said that currently, two funded research projects are being undertaken. These projects aim to address the healthcare facilities and the needs of the community, and also determine the approach healthcare workers should take towards the community members in a medical setting.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
5 benefits of sitting and eating on the floor for kids
Recently, a Bengaluru based nutritionist's ( post grabbed attention, in which she spoke about Baby led weaning (BLW-offering your child finger food that they can eat on their own). For this, she put up a video in which her child is eating on her own on a high chair, but so is her househelp's child, but on the floor. While her idea was to talk about how BLW is part of our Indian tradition, she was brutally trolled for making her househelp's kid sit on the floor. However, the trolling apart, many users commented that sitting on the floor is actually beneficial for a child, though it might sound a little unconventional to the Western world. Here is how eating on the floor can support your child's development. Enhances Sensory Development Eating on the floor allows children to see and feel food "upfront". This "food play" is incredibly beneficial for sensory development. Children can explore different textures, colors, shapes, and smells of food items, which acts as a sensory playground . Squishing, squeezing, and manipulating food helps strengthen hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. For picky eaters, this can actually be quite helpful. By interacting with food, children can gradually become more comfortable with unfamiliar foods, which they were earlier too anxious to try. This exploration activity encourages independence and self-feeding skills, as children naturally use their hands to eat. Betters posture Traditional high chairs, especially those without proper footrests, can be uncomfortable for kids. When children's feet dangle in the air, they have to use their core muscles to stabilize, leading to tiredness and potentially eating less. Eating on the floor, particularly in positions like crossing their legs, can naturally promote better posture. It also opens the children's hip joints, and provides more flexibility to their pelvis and legs . This ergonomic position can reduce fatigue, improve attention during mealtime, and even decrease the risk of choking. This apart, it also strengthens finger and hand muscles, essential for fine motor skills, and builds muscles in the mouth, tongue, and jaw, which are important for eating, drinking, and speaking. Makes them independent When children eat on the floor, they often have more freedom to explore food at their own pace, without someone nagging them. This environment naturally encourages them to develop independence and self-feeding skills . They learn to gauge their hunger, and eat accordingly, preventing overeating. Allowing children to have this control over their eating process helps them build confidence in their abilities. This is crucial for overall development, teaching them not only about nutrition but also about mealtime behavior and responsibility . Improves Communication Mealtime is an excellent opportunity for interaction, and eating on the floor as a family can really strengthen family bonds. This experience makes conversations easy, fostering improved language and communication skills. Children can learn new vocabulary related to food, colors, textures, and tastes. Additionally this technique promotes cooperation and sharing with siblings, and friends. Making mealtimes a fun and relaxed activity by allowing exploration also develops a child's interest in eating, encouraging happy and healthy habits . Boosts Creativity Embracing messy mealtimes (yes, messy is good!) and floor eating can truly foster creativity and imagination. When children are given the freedom to play with their food, their creativity really improves, and this imaginative play stimulates their artistic side and encourages problem-solving skills. Just make sure the floor is clean and sanitized, when your child sits down for a meal, since there will be inadvertent spills that can be cleaned up later.
