Gender disparity in nutritional status of rural and urban adult population
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Date
2023-02
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CCSHAU, Hisar
Abstract
Gender disparity was assessed in nutritional status of rural and urban adults (n=280) of Hisar
city. The respondents were equally distributed among the two genders. Backache and pain in neck were
the most common symptoms reported in all categories. Mean PAL was significantly (p≤0.05) higher
for rural respondents (1.76±0.33) as compared to urban ones (1.57±0.23); and for male respondents
(1.77±0.34) as compared to female counterparts (1.56±0.20). Significant differences existed in mean
Hb for male (14.13±1.63) and female (11.71±1.59) counterparts but not in rural and urban respondents.
There was higher prevalence of anemia observed in feminine gender as compared to male counterparts.
The intake of all the food groups i.e. cereals and millets, pulses, milk and milk products, roots and
tubers, green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, fruits, fats and oils and sugars in male respondents was
significantly (p≤0.05) higher as compared to those of female respondents. Also, the intake of pulses,
roots and tubers, other vegetables and fruits in urban area respondents was significantly (p≤0.05) higher
as compared to those of rural area respondents. In nutrient intake, the intake of energy, protein, fat,
magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, ß carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin B3 and vitamin B9 in male
respondents was significantly (p≤0.05) higher as compared to those of female respondents. Also, the
intake of energy, visible fat, zinc, calcium, ß carotene, vitamin B1 and vitamin B9 in rural area
respondents was significantly (p≤0.05) higher as compared to those of urban area respondents. In
general, the nutrient adequacy ratio was more balanced in urban adults with no such major difference
between genders. Nutrition education had a positive impact on knowledge scores. Chi square test
revealed that a significant association (p≤0.05) of occupation, type of physical activity, size of family,
eating habit, regularity of meals, Hb, severity of anemia, BMR, protein and sugar intake with gender.
Also a significant association (p≤0.05) of height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference,
WHR, MUAC, pulses, milk and milk products, green leafy vegetables, fruits and sugar intake was
observed with locality of respondents.