eng Enviro Research Publishers Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal 2347-467X 2322-0007 2026-02-25 14 Special Issue Sustainable Nutrition February 2026 25554 article Indresh Kumar 1 Sunil Kumar Tailor 1 Madhulika Gautam 2 Manisha Rani 1 Deepak Pandey 3 Geeta Kumari Ray 4 Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India Department of Home Science, Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed University), Agra, India Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, India Department of Home Science, Shailabala Women’s Autonomous College, Cuttack, India Malnutrition remains a persistent public health challenge in rural India, characterized not only by deficiencies in essential nutrients but also by excessive intake of select dietary components such as sodium and fats. While national surveys provide macro-level estimates, community-based analytical assessments of nutrient adequacy across demographic and occupational groups remain limited. To analytically evaluate macro- and micronutrient intake among rural households in Uttar Pradesh in relation to Indian Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), identify nutritionally vulnerable subgroups, and determine demographic and occupational predictors of dietary inadequacy. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 491 individuals aged 13–59 years from rural households across eight villages in two agro-climatic zones of Uttar Pradesh. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall method. Nutrient intake was calculated using the Indian Food Composition Tables (IFCT 2017) and compared with ICMR–NIN RDA values. Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) were computed to assess diet quality. One-sample t-tests, ANOVA with post-hoc comparisons, and multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed using R statistical software. Mean intake of calcium, vitamin A, potassium, riboflavin, and vitamin C was significantly below RDA levels (p < 0.001), whereas sodium, phosphorus, and magnesium intakes significantly exceeded recommended or tolerable upper intake levels (p < 0.001). The overall MAR was 0.78 ± 0.12, with 38.6% of participants exhibiting MAR < 0.75. Women (β = −0.051, p < 0.001), adolescents (β = −0.062, p < 0.001), and individuals engaged in heavy occupational work (β = −0.038, p < 0.001) had significantly lower MAR values. Adolescents had more than twice the odds of dietary inadequacy compared to adults (OR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.62–3.58). Rural diets in northern India are characterized by significant micronutrient deficiencies coexisting with excessive sodium and mineral intake. Women, adolescents, and heavy workers represent high-risk groups for poor diet quality. These findings underscore the need for nutrition interventions that prioritize dietary diversity and micronutrient adequacy rather than calorie sufficiency alone. https://www.foodandnutritionjournal.org/vol14nospl-issue-sustainable-nutrition-2026/nutrient-intake-and-dietary-adequacy-relative-to-recommended-dietary-allowances-among-rural-populations-in-northern-india/ Diet Quality Dietary Intake Micronutrient Deficiency MAR Nutrient Adequacy RDA Rural Nutrition