DIETARY TRANSITION IN INDIA: AN ANALYSIS BASED ON NSS DATA FOR 1993 AND 2004

Our study examines changes in diets over the period 1993-2004. Diets have shifted away
from cereals towards higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, oils and livestock
products. Using household data, reduced form demand relations are estimated for nine
food commodities. Significant own and cross-price effects that vary over time are
confirmed, as also income/expenditure effects. Over and above these effects, more
sedentary life styles and less strenuous activity patterns played a significant role in
shaping dietary patterns. While changes in life style and activity patterns are irreversible,
an important policy insight is that food price stabilization and expansion of livelihood
opportunities deserve greater attention.