Dietary Diversity Score (DDS)

The Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) measures the variety of different food groups a person eats over a specific period, usually a day. It reflects the nutritional quality of the diet, with higher scores indicating a more balanced intake of essential nutrients from different types of foods. For example, eating fruits, vegetables, grains, protein sources, and dairy would increase the DDS. A diverse diet helps ensure you get a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients necessary for good health. DDS is often used by health professionals to assess and improve dietary habits in populations and individuals.