VIJAYA KHADERANURADHA, N2017-03-212017-03-211990http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810005635The present study was taken up to see the impact of women's income on the food and nutrient intake and nutritional status of rural families. Three villages from Moinabad Mandal, Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh were selected. The total sample size was 120 families. These 120 families were grouped into three income categories ·based on the main income. From each income category 20 families with women's income (experimental group) and 20 families without women's income (control group) were selected. Pre-tested personal interview schedules were used to collect information on the expenditure pattern and nutritional awareness of rural families, The food intake of all the families was assessed by three day weighment method. Anthropometric measurements such as height and weight was ·recorded for all the family members and arm circumference recorded for preschool children. The results showed that the expenditure on all the food items except cereals and millets was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the experimental groups than their respectiye controls in all the three categories. The expen~iture spent on non-food items such as clothing, ceremonies and recreation, household equipment and miscellaneous items was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the experimental groups compared to control groups in the three categories. The diets of both control and experimental families failed to meet the RDA in the food groups except cereals and millets which was more than RDA. Except for cereals, the intake of other foods such as pulses, vegetables and fruits, milk and milk products, sugar and jaggery and fats and oils was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in experimental families compared to control families, showing the impact of women's income. The calorie and protein intake was above 90 per cent of RDA in control and experimental families of all the three categories. The intake of nutrients ·such as calcium, p-carotene, riboflavin and Vitamin 'C' was far below the RDA in both control and experimental families. Except iron, p-carotene and niacin the intake of calorie, calcium and Vitamin 'C' was signi-ficantly higher (P < 0.05) in the experimental groups than the control groups in all the three categories. The nutritional awareness of both control and experimental group women was poor in all the three categories. Prevalence of various ·forms of malnutrition as well as normals was different between control and experimental groups. Variation was observed in the prevalence of malnutrition depending upon the criteria used. Children of the experimental groups were found to be better· in nutritional status than children of control groups. According to Gomez classification majority of the adolescents were found to be in mild and moderate malnutrition in all the three categories. The mean height and weight values of adult males and females were comparable with that of values reported ~y NNMB (1984). The study showed, that, the women's income has a positive impact on the socio-economic status, as well as on the food and nutrient intake of the families concerneden---Thesis