A Study on Assessment of Nutritional Status and Nutritional Knowledge of Working Women Residing in Hostels at Mysuru City

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and nutritional knowledge of working women residing in hostels at Mysore city. In the present study, 150 members of women staying in four different hostels were selected for the study and they were assessed for the nutritional status and nutritional knowledge. The nutritional status was assessed with the help of their dietary intake using 24 hours recall method, anthropometry measurement, assessment of meal pattern, along with nutritional knowledge (set of 30 questions to assess nutritional knowledge relating to balanced nutrition and health status). The study indicated that when the nutritional status was assessed majority of working women maintained normal BMI, 25% of women were under weight and 18% of women were over-weight. Total 76% of the respondents were under the high disease risk condition in waist hip ratio, 13% were at elevated risk and 11% was reduced risk condition. The nutrient intake of the respondents were calories (93%), protein (87%) and zinc (64%) was less than RDA but the intake of Fat (188%), and Calcium (125%) was more than RDA. Majority of the respondents had high knowledge about balance diet (70%) in addition to health status (59%).