Impact of dietary counseling on the food habits of fisherfolk
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Date
2007
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Department of Home Science, College of Agriculture, Vellayani
Abstract
The study entitled “Impact of dietary counseling on the food habits of fisher folk” was undertaken with an objective to evaluate the beneficial effects of dietary counseling on the food habits & health related personal habits of fisher folk.
The study was carried out among fisher folk at Adimalathura in Trivandrum district. One hundred samples, both men and women in the age group of 40-50 years who were habituated with chewing, smoking and alcoholism were screened for the study.
Personal profile of the fisher folk indicated that majority of the subjects were between the age of 46-50 years and all of them belonged to Christian community. Majority of the subjects were illiterate and their occupation is fishing or fish vending. 91 per cent of the families were of nuclear type and it was found that majority of the families were medium to large sized having 6 to 8 members.
Majority of the subjects had monthly income ranged between 1000-1250. Most of the families were spending more than 800 rupees on food and up to 400 rupees on medicine.
Details on the personal habits of the fisher folk viz. smoking, chewing and alcoholism were collected. Out of the 60 male subjects under study 33.37 per cent of them were smokers and majority of them were accustomed to this habit for more than 20 years. The frequency of smoking revealed that all of them smoke more than 15 times a day. All the subjects both males and females were regular chewers of betel quid. All the respondents used betel, tobacco, chunna and arecanut as ingredients in their chewing quid. Sixty per cent of male and 47.50 per cent of female subjects chew more than ten times a day and also the quid was allowed to remain in the mouth for more than 1½ hours. With regard to alcohol consumption 53.33 per cent of the men folk were regular users of alcohol and the majority started taking alcohol at an early age of 15 years. None of the female subjects were habituated to alcoholism.
All the subjects were non-vegetarians and none of them followed a specific meal pattern. Most of the male subjects had the habit of taking food from hotels or restaurants.
Frequency of use of various foods revealed that rice, coconut, fish, sugar and beverages like coffee or tea were the food items included daily in their diet. Consumption of egg, pulses, green leafy vegetables, other vegetables and fruits were either occasional or never used in their diet. Male subjects were consuming food items like egg and meat frequently since they take meals outside home.
Frequency of use of foods rich in antioxidants & phytochemicals indicated that such neutraceuticals were mostly not included in the diet or occasionally used by the fisher folk.
Actual food intake of the male respondents revealed that the diet was satisfactory in all the foods except green leafy vegetables, other vegetables and fruits. Their nutrient intake was also satisfactory except β-carotene when compared to RDA.
Actual food intake of the female respondents revealed that their diet was inadequate in all the foods. A deficiency in all nutrients except calcium when compared to RDA was found.
Anthropometric data of the subjects showed that majority of the male subjects had normal height, weight and BMI. While majority of the female subjects had poor body parameters for weight, height and BMI.
Clinical examination of the fisher folk revealed that deficiency symptoms of vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C were observed among the subjects. Majority of the subjects showed symptoms like mottled enamel and dental caries. Clinical manifestations of leukoplakia was observed among 53.33 per cent male and 57.58 per cent female subjects symptoms like Sub Mucous Fibrosis (SMF) and oral ulcers were also present in many of the subjects.
Haemoglobin level of the subjects indicated that 18.33 per cent of male and 52.50 per cent of female subjects were anaemic.
Morbidity pattern of the subjects for the previous six months of study indicated that chickungunia, chicken pox, skin diseases and malaria were the diseases occurred widely among the fisher folk. The impact of dietary counseling was assessed in terms of changes in dietary habits, personal habits, personal hygiene, general health status and knowledge gain of the subjects.
The frequency score of many protective food items (vegetable & fruits) and foods rich in antioxidants & phytochemicals have been increased as an effect of dietary counseling.
Counseling could bring beneficial changes in certain unhealthy personal habits of fisher folk viz. smoking, chewing and alcoholism. 30 per cent of the subjects could be motivated to reduce their frequency of smoking. As an effect of counseling majority of the subjects were persuaded to exclude tobacco in their chewing quid and 31.67 per cent of male and 36.67 per cent of female subjects were made to reduce their chewing time. Oral hygiene of the subjects could also be improved. Better personal hygienic habits could be inculcated among the respondents due to counseling. The knowledge level of the fisher folk could also be improved considerably as an impact of dietary counseling.
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