Nutritional status of people of different socio‐economic groups in a rural area with special reference to pre‐school children

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The nutritional status of 1350 individuals of all ages, both sexes and three income groups living in a rural area was assessed. A dietary survey was undertaken on a sub‐sample. The people of income groups I and II were found to be taller and heavier than those of income group III. The dietary intake of income groups I and II was better both quantitatively and qualitatively than that of income group III. But the intake of animal protein was more in class III because of the consumption of field rats (Rattus rattus) by some individuals in that group. On the basis of deficits in weight and height for age and weight for height, a larger percentage of pre‐schoolers of income group III were found to be malnourished. The distribution of weight/height2 values in income group III did not differ greatly from income group II. This was because there were more nutritional dwarfs who have normal weight/height2 values in income group III. The data suggested that dietary pattern and intakes and also growth status of the people even in a rural area were not homogeneous but varied considerably depending upon their socio‐economic level. This fact should be taken into consideration in all studies dealing with various aspects of rural life.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: