Assessment of nutritional status among rural women of reproductive age group in Wayanad District, Kerala.

Abstract

Malnutrition among women in the reproductive age group is a significant risk factor for low birth weight and infant mortality rates. Recent statistics show that undernutrition and overnutrition are double the burden in many developing countries. To assess the nutritional status and identify risk factors of malnutrition among rural women in the reproductive age group, Wayanad District, Kerala. A cross-sectional study was conducted with women aged 18 years to 49 years. A house-to-house survey was done in five villages, covering 56 participants from each village. About 50.7% of women were 25-40 years old. A significant proportion of 60% was overweight or obese, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.34. Around 43.93% had moderate and 20.36% had high health risk waist - hip ratio (WHR). The mean waist circumference was 81.52. Employment (AOR 2.84, 95% CI 1.10 to 15.19, <i>P</i> = 0.046), fatty food intake (daily or weekly) AOR 4.88, 95% CI 9.43 to 17.29 (<i>P</i> < 0.001), sweet juices or soft drinks intake daily: AOR 2.23, 95% CI 3.44 to 13.96 (<i>P</i> = 0.11), physical activity (mild work) AOR 7.74, 95% CI 8.92 to 87.45 (<i>P</i> < 0.001), and television watching hours (daily) AOR 5.22, 95% CI 4.27 to 48.68 (<i>P</i> < 0.001) were found to be statistically significant with the BMI and WHR. The number of overweight and obese individuals with moderate to high-risk WHR was substantially higher in this study. An unbalanced, unhealthy diet, along with physical inactivity, contributes to the increase in the number of overweight individuals and central obesity.