Household food security and nutritional status of women agricultural labours
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Date
2003
Authors
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Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara
Abstract
A study on "Household Food security and Nutritional Status of Women
Agricultural Labourers" was carried out in Ollukkara block panchayat of Thrissur
district. The study was conducted among women agricultural labourers belonging
to organized and unorganized sectors.
The results of the study indicated that Hindus were the majority ill
organized and unorganized sectors. Majority of the families were of nuclear type
and family size ranged in between 4 to 6.
Most of the male and female members in both the sectors were literate.
Upto 15 cents of land was owned by majority of the respondents in the organized
sector whereas in the unorganized sector majority had only upto 10 cents. Majority
of the families in both the sectors did not have kitchen garden and domestic
animals.
Monthly income of the families in the organized sector varied from
Rs.IOOO to Rs.6000, while in the unorganized sector majority had an income in
between Rs.l 000 to Rs.4000.
Maximum proportion of income was spent on food items.
More families in the organized sector saved money than the unorganized
sector. Majority of the families in both the sectors borrowed money from
university, cooperative bank and private chitties.
All the families in the unorganized sector and majority in the organized
sector had their own houses with brick as the wall material and with tiled or
concrete roof The houses were occupied with separate kitchen with 4 to 5 rooms.
Drinking water, electricity, recreational and lavatory facilities were satisfactory
whereas drainage facilities were found to be inadequate.
Majority of the respondents in the organized sector get work for 6 days in a
week while in the unorganized sector majority get work for 3 - 5 days. Seasonal
variation in the working days was noticed only among unorganized sector.
Majority of the families in both the sectors were nonvegetarians and
consumed rice as the staple food. Maximum percentage of the food expenditure
was for cereals.
The families in the organized sector purchased most of the food items in
bulk on monthly basis while in the unorganized sector most of the families
purchased food items either daily or weekly.
The most frequently used food items were cereals, pulses, other vegetables,
milk and milk products, fats and oils, sugar and spices and condiments in the
organized sector while in the unorganized sector all the above food items except
pulses and milk and milk products were found to be the most frequently food
items.
Advance meal planning was popular in both the sectors. Three meals a day
pattern was common in both the sectors.
The per capita food and nutrient intake indicated decreased intake of
cereals, green leafy vegetables, fruits, milk and milk products and fats and oils.
Majority of the households in the organized sector were food secure,
whereas in the unorganized sector only 26.67 per cent were found to be food
secure. Food insecurity was found to be more in the households with children in
both the sectors. None of the families in the organized sector experienced food
insecurity with hunger.
The nutritional profile revealed that the body weight and height of the
respondents in both the sectors were lower than the reference body weight and
height for an Indian reference woman. About 2l.66 per cent and 31.66 per cent in
the organized and unorganized sectors respectively had different grades of CED.
Clinical examination showed various symptoms of nutritional deficiencies
among the respondents in both the sectors.
Actual food and nutrient intake revealed deficient intake of cereals, pulses,
green leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, fruits and fats and oils. The intake of all
. nutrients was lower than the recommended levels.
Factors influencing food security are food expenditure, monthly income,
family size and family type.
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MSc
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Citation
172217