Low Birth Weight
- To determine the prevalence of LBW and pre-term deliveries across the entire population and to determine regional disparities where evident.
- Identification of nutritional risk factors for adverse birth outcomes.
- Identification of specific breast feeding and dietary needs of LBW infants.
Food Safety
- Assess the impact of nutritional status on susceptibility to food-borne infectious diseases
- Develop new and more rapid methods to detect food-borne pathogens
- Studies on the effects of food contaminants and adulterants on human health.
Nutrition, Infection, and Reproductive Health
- Studies to assess the potential long-term consequences of foetal malnutrition/LBW
- Systematic evaluations of the concept of "programming" of metabolism and accelerated development of chronic diseases (diabetes, insulin resistance syndrome, obesity and cardiovascular diseases) in Indian population
- Evaluations of the potential role of specific macro- and micro-nutrients [lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), antioxidants, folic acid, iron, zinc and calcium] in the ontogeny of adult disease, and the impact of nutrition on gene expression.
Environment and Nutrition
- Investigate the interactions between environmental pollutants like lead and nutritional status and the impact of these interactions on outcomes such as cognitive and behavioural development of children and adolescents.
Foetal Antecedents of Adult Disease
- Studies to assess the potential long-term consequences of foetal malnutrition/LBW
- Systematic evaluations of the concept of "programming" of metabolism and accelerated development of chronic diseases (diabetes, insulin resistance syndrome, obesity and cardiovascular diseases) in Indian population
- Evaluations of the potential role of specific macro- and micro-nutrients [lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), antioxidants, folic acid, iron, zinc and calcium] in the ontogeny of adult disease, and the impact of nutrition on gene expression
Nutrition and Non-communicable Diseases
- Determine factors that would increase the effectiveness of life-style and motivational approaches to sustain (or increase, as appropriate) physical activity to decrease the risk of non-communicable diseases associated with increased caloric intakes consequent to urbanization and rapid technological change.
Micronutrients
- To assess the prevalence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies (iron, folic acid, vitamin A, zinc, riboflavin, calcium and others) during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation in Indian women, adolescents and children
- Studies on the causes and functional consequences of micronutrient deficiencies throughout India
- Identification of factors in indigenous foods of India which influence absorption and bioavailability of iron and other micronutrients
- Identification of micronutrient interactions associated with indigenous diets of Indian population that might influence bioavailability
- Methods for micronutrient delivery (food-based from regional diets, non-traditional foods, food fortification and evidence based micronutrient supplementation)
- Development of improved methods for assessment of iron deficiency anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies appropriate for field use under conditions found in India
- Identify factors influencing bioavailability of micronutrients in infants fed human milk (throughout lactation) and indigenous complementary foods in India.
Food analysis
- Nutrient composition of indigenous foods including analysis of phytochemicals and other bioactive components
Malnutrition
- Development, evaluation, and implementation of home-based management strategies for children with severe grade malnutrition
- Studies to validate reliable nutrition interventions to improve growth, particularly in young girls and to determine optimal ages for maximum effectiveness of interventions
- To identify additional risk factors such as parasitic infections and their mediating effects on gastrointestinal function and subsequent growth and development.
Nutritional Problems of Ageing
- Studies on the prevalence of osteoporosis and possible interventions
Genetically Modified Foods
- Studies on the health effects of GM foods
English 
