Diet and nutrition are pivotal in promoting and sustaining good health across the life cycle. Many factors, including income, individual preferences, cultural traditions, and environmental influences, collectively shape dietary habits and impact women’s health. A well-balanced diet, incorporating diverse food groups in adequate quantities, is crucial for individual well-being and immune system enhancement.
A dietary survey called
Health And Well-Being Of Rural Women
by A. Khetarpal and G. Kochar
was carried out with the help of a questionnaire.
Aim
This study delves into the health and well-being of rural women, focusing mainly on their dietary practices.
Methodology
The study includes 75 women, ages between 25–45 years, residing in rural areas of Yamunanagar district, Haryana. The participants were selected based on their moderate work profiles and their daily nutrient intake.
Findings
Key findings reveal a monotonous family diet marked by limited variety and diversity. Consumption across all food groups falls below the recommended allowances, highlighting potential nutritional deficiencies.
The women must improve their intake of essential components such as vegetables, fruits, and milk products. In contrast, oil, sugar, and jaggery consumption approaches adequate levels. This observation aligns with the findings of Johansson and Anderson (1998), who emphasized suboptimal intake of fruits and vegetables in their research. Interestingly, the study observes a gender-based difference, with men exhibiting a higher daily intake of fruits and vegetables than women.
| Food groups (gm/day) |
R.D.A. |
Intake |
| Cereals |
375 |
355 |
| Pulses |
40 |
30 |
| Vegetables |
180 |
75 |
| Fruits |
50 |
30 |
| Milk and milk products |
200 |
100 |
| Fats and oils |
20 |
25 |
| Sugar and jaggery |
20 |
20 |
|
Moreover, the rural women’s diet demonstrates deficiencies in crucial minerals and vitamins, emphasizing potential health risks associated with these nutritional gaps. The daily caloric intake was below the minimum requirements for adult women, indicating a possible energy deficit.
| Nutrients |
R.D.A. |
Intake |
| Energy, K.cal |
2225 |
1800 |
| Carbohydrate, g |
250-300 |
225 |
| Protein, g |
50 |
25 |
| Fat, g |
20 |
30 |
| Fibre, g |
10-12 |
8 |
| Calcium, mg |
400-500 |
300 |
| Iron mg |
30 |
16 |
| Thiamine, mg |
1.1 |
1.0 |
| Riboflavin, mg |
1.3 |
1.0 |
| Niacin, mg |
14.0 |
8 |
| Vit.C, mg |
40 |
48 |
| B- carotene, µg |
2400 |
1800 |
|
Conclusion
This analysis highlights the nutritional challenges faced by rural women. Identifying gaps in dietary practices and their impact on health provides valuable insights for targeted interventions to improve the well-being of women in rural settings.
Initiatives Taken By The Government To Improve Nutrition & Well-being Of The Rural Women
The government has implemented various initiatives to enhance nutrition and well-being in rural women. Some key initiatives:
Poshan Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission)
- Launched in 2018, Poshan Abhiyan improves nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
- It reduces stunting, undernutrition, anemia, and low birth weight.
- The program involves converging various existing nutrition-related schemes for effective implementation.
National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
- NFSM increases the production of rice, wheat, pulses, and coarse cereals to ensure food security.
- By enhancing food availability, the mission contributes to better nutrition for women and their families.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- ICDS is a flagship program that addresses the health and nutrition needs of children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
- ICDS provides supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, and nutrition counseling, benefiting women in the reproductive age group.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme
- The Mid-Day Meal Scheme focuses on providing nutritious meals to schoolchildren, especially girls in rural areas.
- Ensuring regular meals contributes to the overall nutritional well-being of children and indirectly benefits their families.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
- PMMVY is a maternity benefit program that provides financial assistance to pregnant women and lactating mothers for their first live birth.
- The scheme improves pregnant and lactating women’s health and nutrition status.
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
- NRLM focuses on enhancing the livelihoods of rural households, including women, through skill development, capacity building, and financial inclusion.
- Improving economic conditions indirectly contributes to better nutrition and well-being.
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
- JSY is a safe motherhood intervention under the National Health Mission.
- JSY provides cash assistance to pregnant women for institutional delivery, reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and improving maternal nutrition.
While launching initiatives is a crucial step in addressing the challenges faced by rural communities, acknowledging that their success depends significantly on practical implementation is essential. In this regard, the collaboration between the government and rural development NGOs in India plays a pivotal role. These NGOs often possess grassroots-level understanding, local knowledge, and established networks within communities. They can bridge the gap between government policies and the actual needs of the rural population. In essence, the partnership between the government and rural development NGOs is instrumental in creating a more responsive, sustainable, and impactful approach to uplift rural areas and enhance the overall well-being of their inhabitants.
Women’s History and Empowerment Month is dedicated to commemorating the historical contributions of individuals who navigate life with the identity of “woman” in various dimensions, encompassing body, spirit, and identity across the past, present, future, and fluid states. This month serves to honor women’s achievements throughout history and emphasize an ongoing commitment to empower women and dismantle barriers hindering their progress and advancement.
Since March is designated Women’s History and Empowerment Month, let’s look at the top sustainable rural development NGOs in India working relentlessly to empower women.
S M Sehgal Foundation!
-
calls at the Citizen Information and Support Center
-
community leaders trained
-
check dams/nala bunds constructed
-
ponds developed and rejuvenated
-
schools with rainwater harvesting structures
-
crop demonstrations improve farm practices
-
acres covered with drip/sprinkler irrigation
-
schoolchildren benefited by school transformation
Since 1999, S M Sehgal Foundation (Sehgal Foundation) has been tirelessly dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in rural communities across India. As a prominent rural development NGO, Sehgal Foundation operates as a public charitable trust, engaging a team of skilled and devoted individuals. This team is instrumental in devising sustainable programs tailored to rural India’s most pressing needs. Backed by a proficient research team engaged in participatory research, impact assessment, and interactive dialogues, Sehgal Foundation ensures that its actions are well-informed, leading to sustainable and positive outcomes.
Together We Empower Rural India
The impactful grassroots programs and development interventions initiated by S M Sehgal Foundation have made significant strides, reaching communities in 12 states across India. With the support of donors and partners worldwide, the foundation empowers individuals and communities in need, fostering their development and facilitating positive transformations.
Celebrating Poshan Maah to encourage behavior change on nutrition among women in rural Nuh
S M Sehgal Foundation celebrated Poshan Maah (Nutrition Month) to promote behavior change regarding nutrition among women in rural Nuh, Haryana. Poshan Maah, a nationwide initiative, focuses on improving nutrition outcomes for women and children.
S M Sehgal Foundation engaged with the community through interactive sessions, workshops, and community meetings. Key activities included disseminating crucial information on balanced nutrition and emphasizing the significance of a diverse and nutrient-rich diet. Women in the community were educated on the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating mothers and the importance of early and exclusive breastfeeding.
The foundation employed innovative approaches to make the initiative more impactful, including street plays, community rallies, and distribution of educational materials. These efforts ensured that the information reached a wider audience and resonated with the community, encouraging them to adopt healthier dietary habits.
The foundation also collaborated with local influencers, such as anganwadi and ASHA workers, to leverage their influence in disseminating nutritional knowledge. The involvement of these community figures helped establish a more direct and relatable communication channel.
S M Sehgal Foundation showcased its commitment to creating sustainable and positive changes in the nutrition landscape of rural Nuh by combining awareness campaigns, community engagement, and collaboration with local influencers. This approach instigates behavior change that has a lasting impact on the nutritional well-being of women in the region.
About the Author
Ms. Sreeja Basu
Assistant Program Lead, Local Participation and Sustainability
Sreeja Basu did her Master’s in Economics. She has been working at the grassroots level for the last 5+ years, majorly with women around nutrition. Currently, she works as an Assistant Programme Lead at S M Sehgal Foundation in integrated village development projects at Nuh, Haryana.
FAQs
Diet and nutrition are pivotal in promoting and sustaining good health throughout the life cycle. Income, cultural traditions, and individual preferences collectively shape dietary habits that impact women’s health. A well-balanced diet is crucial for personal well-being and immune system enhancement.
The study includes 75 rural women aged 25–45, showing a monotonous family diet with limited variety. Consumption across food groups falls below recommended allowances, highlighting potential nutritional deficiencies. Inadequate intake of essential components such as vegetables, fruits, and milk products is observed, emphasizing potential health risks.
The government has implemented initiatives like Poshan Abhiyan, National Food Security Mission, Integrated Child Development Services, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, PMMVY, NRLM, and JSY. These programs each address nutritional needs, improve food security, provide maternal benefits, and enhance livelihoods in rural areas.
While launching initiatives is crucial, their success depends on practical implementation. Collaboration with rural development NGOs is vital due to their grassroots-level understanding, local knowledge, and established networks. NGOs bridge the gap between government policies and community needs, ensuring a responsive and impactful approach.
March is celebrated as Women’s History and Empowerment Month to honor the historical contributions of women. The goal is to empower women and reduce barriers to their advancement. The month serves as a commitment to dismantling obstacles hindering women’s progress and commemorating their achievements throughout history.
Contact us 
Sign up for