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Dietary coificient psm

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dietary coefficient consumption unit PSM

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Here is a comprehensive explanation of the Dietary Coefficient as used in PSM (Preventive & Social Medicine):

Dietary Coefficient — PSM

Definition

The Dietary Coefficient (also called the Calorie Coefficient) is a numerical value assigned to each member of a family/community that expresses their calorie requirement relative to that of a sedentary adult male.
It is used to convert a heterogeneous group (of different ages, sexes, and activity levels) into standardized Consumption Units (CU) for dietary surveys.

Reference Standard

1 Consumption Unit (CU) = 1 sedentary adult male = 2400 kcal/day (Some newer ICMR references use 2110 kcal/day)
The energy needs of all other family members — women, children, and differently active men — are expressed as a fraction or multiple of this reference.

Table of Dietary Coefficients (ICMR / Park's PSM)

GroupAgeDietary Coefficient (CU)
Male
Sedentary workerAdult (18–59 yr)1.0
Moderate workerAdult1.2
Heavy workerAdult1.6
Boy1–3 yr0.4
Boy4–6 yr0.5
Boy7–9 yr0.6
Boy10–12 yr0.8
Boy13–15 yr1.0
Boy16–17 yr1.0
Female
Sedentary workerAdult0.8
Moderate worker (housewife)Adult0.9
Heavy workerAdult1.2
Pregnant woman—1.0
Lactating woman—1.1
Girl1–3 yr0.4
Girl4–6 yr0.5
Girl7–9 yr0.6
Girl10–12 yr0.7
Girl13–15 yr0.8
Girl16–17 yr0.8
Elderly>60 yr0.7 (approx.)
Infant<1 yr0.3
(Values from ICMR 2009 and Park's Textbook of PSM)

How to Use: Calculation of Family Consumption Units

Step 1: Assign the appropriate dietary coefficient to each family member. Step 2: Sum all coefficients → this gives total CUs in the family. Step 3: Calculate total calorie requirement = Total CUs × 2400 kcal.

Example

Family MemberDetailsCU
Father31 yr, male, clerk (sedentary)1.0
Mother28 yr, housewife (moderate)0.9
Child 112 yr, male0.8
Child 28 yr, male0.6
Total3.3
Total calorie requirement = 3.3 × 2400 = 7,920 kcal/day for the family.

Purpose / Uses

  1. Dietary surveys — to compare food intake across families of different compositions
  2. Nutritional assessment of communities (used by NNMB — National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau)
  3. Planning food supplies for institutions, prisons, schools, army, etc.
  4. Assessing adequacy of dietary intake when food intake data is available per family

Key Points for Exam

  • Concept developed by ICMR for Indian conditions
  • Reference is sedentary adult male = 1 CU = 2400 kcal/day
  • Women have lower coefficients than men (due to lower body mass and BMR)
  • Heavy workers have the highest coefficients (1.2–1.6)
  • Used in dietary surveys alongside methods like 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire
  • The NNMB extended its use beyond calories to all nutrients
Source: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine; ICMR Nutrient Requirements and Recommended Dietary Allowances for Indians (2009); ihatepsm.com
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