Publication:

Macro-nutrient intake of reproductive age group women: findings of a community based study from rural Varanasi

Background Indian rural women are in a disadvantaged position on nutritional scale due to variety of reasons including inadequate consumption of macronutrients. With this background, a comprehensive dietary assessment of macro-nutrient (energy, protein, and fat) intake of rural women of reproductive age group was contemplated with the objectives: (a) to assess macro nutrients (energy, protein, and fat) intake of study subjects, and  (b) to pin point the correlates of their macro nutrients intake.

Methods This study was conducted in a Community Development Block of Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh adopting a community based cross sectional study design. Non pregnant women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) were considered as subjects of this study and the required sample size (610) was selected by adopting multi stage random sampling procedure. Socio-demographic characteristics were obtained by interview technique and dietary intake was assessed by 24 hour oral recall questionnaire method.

Results The average energy, protein and fat intakes were 1657.81 ±461.91 Kcal/day, 45.05 ±18.79gm/day, and 37.52 ±31.16 gm/day, respectively. With respect to Nutrient Adequacy Ratio of these macro-nutrients, the values were 84.4%, 81.82% and 55.54% of respective estimated RDAs. Socioeconomic status (SES) exerted a significant (p<0.05) influence in all these three macro-nutrient consumption. Along with SES, age of study subjects was also found to be significantly (p<0.05) associated with protein intake and castes of study subjects were found to be significantly (p<0.05) associated with daily fat intake as well.

Conclusions Well developed nutrition education programmes for women are needed to ensure adequate consumption of macro-nutrients.