Impact of socio-economic status on food consumption pattern of rural farm women

Abstract

This study has focused on the functioning of 10 SHG’s located in Venkatahalli and Heggadehalli villages of Bangalore rural district comprising of 200 farm women mainly belonging to marginal and landless category with age group of 18-35 years. The women members of SHG’s were found to save a portion of their meager income and pool that money for lending among them at an interest decided by the group. A close look at the pattern of lending revealed that large part of the credit was used for improving the sustainability of their agriculture and economic status as the loans were availed for crop cultivation, purchase of milch animals and sericulture activities. Majority of the rural families were non-vegetarians by habit; animal based foods were consumed twice a week by 49 per cent of the families. It was observed that majority of the rural families consumed 3 meals per day and only 18 per cent of the rural families consumed 2 meals per day. The diet of the rural families was monotonous, lacking variety and they care more for bulk rather than quality of the diet. Nutrient intake of rural farm women was compared with Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). The intake of all nutrients viz. energy, protein, fat, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and β-carotene were low except for calcium. The per cent adequacy of nutrients was inadequate.