Assessment of Dietary Protein Intake in Healthy Young Adults Aged 19 to 40 Years and Its Association With Socioeconomic Status

Insufcient protein intake in India remains a public health concern due to the carbohydrate-heavy, predominantly vegetarian dietary pattern and is also inuenced by socioeconomic status. Adequate protein intake is crucial for major concerns of Indian young adults like metabolic health and immunity, as emphasized by recent research. This study aims to assess the dietary protein intake among healthy young adults aged 19 to 40 years, in Mumbai, India, and examine its association with socioeconomic status. A total of 150 healthy young adults were recruited using a purposive sampling method. Demographic data was collected and anthropometric measurements were recorded using standardized methods. The Modied Kuppuswamy Socioeconomic Status Scale (2023) and 3-day 24-hour diet recall were used to assess the socioeconomic status and dietary intake respectively. Dietary intake analysis showed that protein intake in both males and females, was low as compared to the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR), indicating low protein intake among the participants. Individuals from higher socioeconomic strata consumed more protein which showed that higher socioeconomic status was linked to higher protein consumption. Interventions to increase awareness about protein-rich foods are required to improve metabolic health of young adults in India.