Alleviation: An International Journal of Nutrition, Gender & Social Development, ISSN 2348-9340

Volume 4, Number 4 (2017), 17-23

© Arya PG College, Panipat & Business Press India Publication, Delhi

www.aryapgcollege.com

Impact of Nutrition Education on the Health of Working Women

Abha Khetarpal
Head, Department of Home Science
DAV College for Girls, Yamunanagar , Haryana, India
Email: abhakhetarpal@rediffmail.com

Abstract

Working women face various problems like wage discrimination, gender stereotyping of labour, cultural barriers, lack of social security, substandard conditions at workplace, dual burden of work at home, inadequate family support, sexual harassment and violence, poor implementation of laws and policies, lack of proper education and training opportunities etc. All these problems act as a barrier in progress of working women and prevent them from achieving equality and justice. Seventy working women (35-45yrs) belonging to middle income group were selected randomly and divided equally into two groups viz. Experimental (E) and Control (C). Nutrition Counselling (NC) was carried in Group E for a period of 3 months. The average per capita income was Rs 2517±121.5 and Rs 2243± 109.2 in group E and C respectively. The daily intake of cereals, pulses, green leafy vegetables (GLVs), roots and tubers, other vegetables and fruits was inadequate. However, the average daily intake of milk and milk products, fats and oils, sugar and jiggery exceeded the RDAs in both the groups at T1 (Before nutrition counselling) and T2 (After nutrition counselling). The anthropometric data revealed that the average weight of the subjects was 64.88± 1.23 and 65.03± 1.40kg and 65.03± 1.40kg and 62.80±1.19 and 65.20±1.39kg at T1 and T2 in group E and C respectively. Further, all the subjects had lower height, higher weight, marginally higher Body Mass Index (BMI) values, Triceps Skin Fold Thickness (TSFT) and Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) values at T1 and T2. However, the decrease in the above anthropometric parameters at T2 in group E proved the positive impact of nutrition counselling. As economic empowerment of women might help in improving their nutritional status, but it cannot work alone. So, there is need to educate and create awareness among women about right choice of food and nutrient requirements so that they can attain maximum health potential in their lives. Keywords: Diet, Health Education, Nutrition, Nutrition Education, Working Women