Diet and Fertility: A Discussion

The population of the world is increasing by about 25 millions a year of which India contributes
nearly 5 millions. This unprecedented increase has made the study of the problem of
human fertility from all its angles very important. The fact that a large percentage of the
population of Asia is concentrated in certain areas which happen to be the rice eating ones
has led to speculation that the rice diet causes increased fertility. Further, on the basis of
reports emanating from Japan on the subject, existence of a correlation between rice diet and
fertility has been taken for granted. Examination of figures on the increase of population
in India during 1941-51 reveal that for Travancore-Cochin (staple food of tapioca and sweet
potato) it was 23.0 perlOOO whereas for Bihar and Madras (rice eating areas) figures were 12.3
and 14.3. The problem was recently discussed by a group of experts and from their views,
brought out in the following discussion, emerges the fact that the popular belief is unfounded.
The Nutrition Advisory Committee of Indian COLlncil of Medical Research has also found that
the existing data on the subject is not comprehensive enough to give any statistical evidence in
support of the belief. However, it is h:>ped that this discussion based on the analysis of data
from several aspects will be of special interest to our readers.-