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CHAPTER - VII
Food is the basic necessity of the life. All round development of a person depend
upon and good nutrition. Inspire of appreciable progress in science production,
malnutrition is still very acute especially among vulnerable sections of the society, i.e.
infants, children and women. According to F.A.O reports, there are about 460 million
people, i.e., 15 per cent of the world's population excluding China, who are
malnourished. Of these, bout 300 million people world's population is counteracted with
rapid rise in population (WHO: 1977). In the developing countries, women and children
are neglected groups in all spheres of life. Women in almost all parts of the world have
complex and diverse roles. Many factors influence their health including genetic
constitution, imbalanced need or inadequate nutrition. In addition, social, cultural,
economic, political and environmental factors influence the maternal health. Based on the
results of the WHO organization sponsored study, Gopalan (1987) reported that about
126 million women of child bearing age are suffering from nutritional anaemia (Iron
Deficiency). Dietary surveys have shown that the intake of women in low income group
is 2200 calories. The corresponding findings for pregnant and lactating women reveal a
daily deficiency of 1100 calories and 1000 calories, respectively. Women require 3000
calories more per day during the latter half of pregnancy and 700 calories more per day
during lactation (I.C.M.R. Report: 1971).
Anemia in pregnancy accounts directly for 15-20 per cent of all maternal deaths
in India, and indirectly in much larger proportion. The problem of malnutrition cannot be
150
conjunction with a number of factors such as physical factors (climate geographic
location), age and sex, infections diseases, socio-cultural factors, socio-economic factors
and insufficient food production.
Pattern of any society depends not only on availability of food and purchasing
power but also upon the values and attitudes, traditions, beliefs, habits, customs etc. In
short, the way of eating of people depends upon how they have been taught to eat by their
elders. The individual's nutritional status is, therefore, a product of the cultural
environment and various social circumstances.
These can contribute significantly to inadequate intake of nutrients by individual
for non-economic reasons. Family plays an important role in shopping the food habits
which are passed from one generation to another. Food taboos prevent people from
consuming nutrition's foods even when these are easily available. For example, papaya is
avoided during pregnancy because it is believed to cause abortion.
Regarding different food and food habits may be termed, as belief systems in food
of a community. The behavior of an individual separately or as a member of a group, is
influenced by such beliefs system. Belief system is an organized body of ideas, attitudes
or perception of the group. Culture, therefore, also enters into the food expenditure,
shopping, emphasizing and even choosing into the significant factors for defining that
experience. The general food beliefs of a community cannot, therefore, be dismissed as
arising from ignorance, but must be looked upon as a social product of collective shared
experience and thoughts of the community. These beliefs are partly rational and partly
irrational and may not have much meaning outside that social context.
FOOD FACTS, BELIEFS AND UNSCIENTIFIC FOOD HABITS:
These are the important contributory causes for the wide prevalence of
malnutrition particularly among vulnerably sections of the population such as
infants, pre-school children, expectant and nursing mothers. The quality of food
is reduced due to food avoidances. Food avoidances or taboos as part of the
prevailing concept toward food may also influence distribution of food within
the household. Food avoidances are of two types, i.e., permanent population, and
temporary. Permanent food avoidance is concerned with whole food avoidance
151
for a whole population e.g. avoidance of eating pork among Muslims and beef
among Hindus. Whereas, temporary food avoidances apply to individuals during
certain periods within the life cycles: pregnancy, lactation; childhood, various
diseases. Most permanent food avoidances have little effect on the nutrition of
the individuals, in contrast to the temporary food avoidances for individuals at
certain critical periods of their life cycle.
A number of serious concerns arise as a result of food beliefs. Imbalanced
diet due to various beliefs often leads to malnutrition. A careful examination of
most food diets reveals glaring deficiencies. It is even more serious to depend on
one source of nutrient. The cast of buying faddish products or following such
diet is great. Unwise food practices may imperil health; hamper the growth and
development of children. Therefore, good nutrition in childhood and throughout
the life span is of paramount importance in fostering the physical, mental,
emotional and social growth of populations. Food is not only something to eat
and satisfy hunger, but also the symbol of social status, prosperity poverty and
the focus of emotional associations, of love and hate, pleasure and pain and
satisfactions and disappointments. Man is a social being. He is born into a
culture. His childhood experiences are conditioned by the customs, traditions and
mores of his society. Consequently, biological socially patterned practice.
Therefore, nutrition cannot be considered in isolation.
Seventy per cent of India's population lives in the rural areas. Their food
practices are deeply rooted in their cultural, which controls the choice and use of
food. While income, food availability-home food production and marketing
facility influence the food preferences of the individual, customs and traditions
dictate the manner in which food should be procured, stored cooked, served and
eaten. Eventually distinctive food preferences and prejudices are formed. The
interaction of the effect produced by the social factors and the individual factors
is what ultimately results in malnutrition.
Today nutrition for women is normally inadequate in India. Women may
remain in a constant state of nutritional stress from the time of an early marriage
152
before growth has stopped until a premature death in early thirties. The need for
extra nutrients during pregnancy is hardly realized in many communities. On the
contrary, a pregnant women's diet is restricted both qualitatively and
quantitatively, thus, precipitating or aggravating various nutrition deficiencies,
like angular so much essential is denied because of the firm belief that factors
may too big causing difficult labour. Eggs, jaggery and papaya, which are
considered to be hot foods are forbidden for the fear of abortion. During
lactation nutritious food considered 'cold' such neglected in terms of nutrition.
She is also given food which is not adequate in quantity as well as in quality.
The concept of 'hot' and 'cold' food is quite is quite familiar to all of us
or the 'spiciness' of the foods but to the intrinsic quality present is the food
itself. Foods like eggs, bajra, and fruits like papaya, tubers are supposed to be
'hot' foods. All the fruits and vegetables like citrus fruits, cucurbits and green
leafy vegetables and certain other foods like buttermilk, curd are considered to
be cold foods. The belief that certain food combinations are harmful which
others are wholesome also exists among the people. These beliefs are prevalent
due to ignorance or lack of knowledge. Culture, social, personal and situational
factors motives or encourages people to eat certain food and is intertwined with
food habits cultural motivation which is closeted to social motivation, is
transmitted from generation to generation. Social influence causes people to
consider opinion to other family members, education, age and psychological
characteristics (Robert and Elizabeth: 1975). Family influence is one the
strongest influence on meal planners. The situational factors involves the
situation of the family when deciding what to buy on prepare and is embedded in
a combination of cultural, social and personal factors. Therefore, dietary
practices in India vary from place to place because of different cultural,
educational and socio-economic background.
Many mistaken beliefs and social practices concern the food of human
beings but generally women become the unwitting victim of traditional beliefs.
The beliefs customs, attitudes traditions prevalent among womenfolk causes
various deficiency diseases. The overall development of a child also depends on
153
the nutrition of our population is concerned with poverty and hunger leading to
malnutrition and under nutrition because the diet consumed by our population
and inadequate quantitatively as well as qualitatively.
WOMEN AND HER INTAKE OF FOOD:
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the
body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients,
such as carbohydrates, fats, protein and minerals. The substance is ingested by an
organism and assimilated by the organism's cells in an effort to produce energy,
maintain life, Cereal or stimulate growth. Almost all foods are of plant or animal
origin. Cereal grain is a staple food that provides more food energy woddwide
than any other type of crop. Maize, wheat, and rice-in all of their varieties
account for 87 per cent of all grain production worldwide.
TABLE-7.1 (A)
FOOD INTAKE BY WOMEN
Food Taken Number of Respondents Total
by Women Percentage Yes No No Response
Cereals/Millets 122 (56.48) 30(13.88) 64 (29.62) 216 (100.00)
Wheat Flour 198 (91.66) 18 (8.33) 0 216 (100.00)
Rice 190 (87 .96) 15 (6.94) II ((5.09) 216 (I 00.00)
Maize 94 (43.51) 46 (21.29) 76 (35.18) 216 (100.00)
(Figure in the bracket represents percentage)
The table 7.1 (a) shows that 198 (91.66 per cent) eat wheat flour as food, where as
190 (87 .96 per cent) had rice, some of respondents, 94 ( 43.51 per cent) had maize as a
154
meal. 122 (56.48per cent) like cereals/millets as a meal. 64 (29.62 per cent) did not
respond about cereals.
Seed plants are a good source of food for animals, including humans, because
they contain the nutrients necessary for the plant's initial growth, including many
healthful fats, such as Omega fats. In fact, the majority of food consumed by human
beings is seed-based foods. Edible seeds include legumes (beans, peas, lentils, et cetera)
Seeds are typically high in unsaturated fats and, in moderation, are considered a health
food.
TABLE 7.1 (B)
WOMEN AND INTAKE OF PULSES
Pulse Taken Number of Respondents Total Percentage
Yes No No Response
Arhar Dal 190 (87 .96) 20 (9.29) 6 (2.77) 216 (100.00)
Masoor Dal 172 (79.62) 34 (15.74) 7 (3.24) 216 (100.00)
Moong Dal 142 (65.74) 54 (25) 6 (2. 77) 2 I 6 (1 00.00)
Green gram Dal 96 (44.44) 99 (45.83) 22 (10.18) 216 (100.00)
Others 18 (8.33) 82 (37 .96) 116(53.70) 216 (100.00)
(Figure in the bracket represents percentage)
The table 7.1 (b) shows that, mostly 190 (87 .96 per cent) women eat Arhar
dal as a source of pulse. 172 (79.62 per cent) women respondents eat Masoor dal
as a source of pulse. 96 ( 44.44 per cent) eat green gram dal as a pulse and 99
(45.83 per cent) women didn't, 18 (8.33 per cent) women eat other pulse and I 16
(53. 70 per cent) didn't respond about other pulses out of 216 women.
Vegetables are second type of plant matter that is commonly eaten as
food. These include leafy vegetables, tubers like potato, stem
155
vegetables (bamboo shoot and asparagus), and inflorescence vegetables (globe
artichokes and broccoli).
TABLE 7.1 (C)
INTAKE OF THE VEGETABLES BY THE RESPONDENTS
Intake Vegetables Number of Respondents Total
by Women Percentage Yes No No
Response
Leafy Vegetables 157 (72.68) 42 (19.44) 17 ( 7.87) 216 (1 00.00)
Stem/Root 174 (80.55) 38 (17.59) 4 (1.85) 216 (100.00)
Vegetables
Any Others 12 (5.55) 76 (35.18) 128 ( 59.25) 216 (100.00)
The table 7 .I (C) shows that 157 (72.68 per cent) women eat leafy
vegetable, 17 (7 .87 per cent) .respondents didn't respond for the same, where as
174 (80.55 per cent) eat Stem/Root Vegetables and only 12 (5.55 per cent)
respondents eat any others out of 216 women respondents.
Food products produced by animals include milk produced by mammary,
which in many cultures is drunk or processed into dairy products (Milk, Curd,
lassi and any other).
156
TABLE- 7.1 (D)
INTAKE OF BEVERAGES BY THE RESPONDENTS
Beverages Taken Number of Respondents Total
by Women Percentage Yes No No
Response
Milk 180 (83.33) 30 (13.88) 6(2.77) 216 (100.00)
Tea 160 (74.07) 54 (25 ) 2 (0.92) 216 ( 100.00
Curd 114 (52.77) 84 (38.?8) 18 ( 8.33) 216 (100.00)
Lassi 30 (13.88 ) 94 (43.98) 88 (40.7 4) 216 (1 00.00)
Any Other 12 (5.55 ) 40(18.51) 164 ( 216 (100.00)
75.92)
(Figure in the bracket represents percentage)
The table 7.1 (D) shows that mostly of respondents, 180 (83.33 per cent)
women take milk as a beverage, 160 (74.07 per cent) women take tea as a
beverage. 114 (52.77 per cent) women eat curd, 85 (38.88 per cent) didn't. 30
(13.88 per cent) women take lassi, 84 (38.88 per cent) women didn't take other
beverages whereas12 (5.55 per cent) didn't respond about any other beverage out
of 216 women.
Animals are used as food either directly or indirectly by the products they
produce. Meat is an example of a direct product taken from • an animal, which comes
from muscle systems or from organs. In addition, birds and other animals lay eggs, which
are often eaten. Some cultures and people do not consume meat or animal food products
for cultural and religious reason or beliefs.
157
TABLE-7.1 (E)
WOMEN AND NON-VEGETARIAN DIET
Non Vegetarian Number of Respondents Total Diet Percentage
Yes No No Response
Eggs 96 (44.44) 48 ( 22.22) 72 (33.33 ) 216 (100.00
Chicken 34 ( 15.74) 90 (41.66) 92 ( 42.59) 216 (100.00
Meat/Mutton 34 (15.74) 94(43.51) 88 ( 40.74) 216(100.00
Fish 32 (14.81) 82 (37 .96 ) 102 ( 47.22) 216 (100.00)
(Figure in the bracket represents percenta'ge)
The table7.1 (e) shows that, 96 (44.44 per cent) women respondents eat
eggs. 34 (15.74 per cent) eat chicken, whereas 34 (15.74 per cent) eat
meat/mutton, 94 (41.66 per cent) did not eat meat/ mutton, 88 (40.74 per cent)
did not respond about meat/mutton. 32 (14.81 per cent) eat fish, 82 (37.96 per
cent) didn't and mostly 102 (47.22 per cent) women didn't respond about fish out
of 216 women.
TABLE 7.1 (F)
INTAKE OF THE FRUITS BY THE RESPONDENTS
Fruits taken Number of Respo~dents Total by Women Percentage
Yes No No Response 216 (100.00)
Daily 35 (16.20) 66 (30.55) 115 (53.24) 216 (100.00)
Rarely 92 (42.29) 58 (26.85) 66 (30.58) 216 (100.00)
On 90 ( 41.66) 72 (33.33) 54 (25) 216 (1 00.00) Availability
(Figure in the bracket represents percentage)
158
The table 7.1 (F) shows that, only 35 (16.20 per cent) women respondents
take fruits daily. 66 (30.55 per cent) didn't take fruit daily, mostly 115 (53.24
per cent) didn't respond for the same. 92 (42.29 per cent) women take fruit
rarely, 58 (26.85 per cent) women didn't take fruit, and 66 (30.58 per cent)
women did not respond about this, 90 ( 41.66 per cent) women take fruits on
availability, out of216 women.
Generally regarded as the most pleasant taste, sweetness is almost always caused
by a type of simple sugar such as glucose or fructose, or disaccharides such as sucrose, a
molecule combining glucose and fructose. Complex carbohydrates are long chains and
thus do not have the sweet taste. Artificial sweeteners such as sucrose are used to mimic
the sugar molecule, creating the sensation of sweet, without the calories. Other types of
sugar include raw sugar, which is known for its amber color, as it is unprocessed.
TABLE-7.1 (G)
INTAKE OF THE SWEETS BY THE RESPONDENTS
Sweet Number of Respondents Total
taken by Percentage
Women Yes No No
Response
Sugar 188 (87.03) 28 (12.96) 0 216 (100.00)
Jaggery 138 (63.88) 72 (33.33) 6 (2. 77) 216 (100.00)
Other 10 (4.62) 88 (40.74) 118 (54.62) 216 (100.00)
(Figure in the bracket represents percentage)
The table 7 .I (G) shows that, 188 (87 .03 per cent) women take sugar as a
sweet whereas 28 (12.96 per cent) did not, 138 (63.88 per cent) women take
jaggery as a sweet whereas 72 (33.33 per cent) did not. 10 ( 4.62 per cent) women
take any other source as a sweet.
159
Seeds of plants are a good source of food for animals, including humans,
because they contain the nutrients necessary for the plant's initial growth,
including many healthful fats, such as Omega fats. In fact, the majority of food
consumed by human beings is seed-base foods. Edible seeds include nuts. Oil
seeds are often pressed to produce rich oils-
sunflower, flaxseed, rapeseed (including, mustered oil canola oil), sesame, etc.
TABLE- 7.1 (H)
TYPE OF EDIBLE OIL USED BY WOMEN
Type of Number of Respondents Total Percentage
Edible Oil Yes No No Response
Mustard 198 (91.66) 8 (3.70) 10(4.62) 216 (100.00)
Refined 40 (18.51) 68 (31.48) 108 (50) 216 (100.00)
Other 0 76 (35.1~) 140 (64.81) 216 (1 00.00)
(Figure in the bracket represents percentage)
The table 7.1 (H) shows that 40 (18.51 per cent) women take refined, 68
(31.48 per cent) didn't, 108 (50 per cent) didn't respond about this, mostly of the
women respondents 198 (91.6 per cent) take mustard oil. Whereas 140 (64.81 per
cent) didn't respond about other sources of oil if any out of 216 women.
FREQUENCY OF MEALS:
Many people believe that eating more frequently than three meals per day
will improve nutrition and the ability to achieve and maintain a healthy body
weight. While there are clearly psychological factors that affect food intake,
including food addictions discussed elsewhere, there are scientific studies
supporting the idea that more frequent meals, as part of a structured diet, can
help to maintain energy balance throughout the day.
160
TABLE -7.2 (A)
FREQUENCY OF CEREALS TAKEN BY WOMEN
Frequency of Number;of Respondents Total Cereals Percentage
Yes No No Response
Once in a day 138 (63.88) 28 (12.96) 50(32.14) 216 (100.00)
Twice in a day 164 (75.92) 40(18.51) 12 (5.55) 216 (I 00.00)
Three or more than 12 (5.55) 48 (22.22) 156 (72.22) 216 (I 00.00)
(Figure in the bracket represents percentage)
The table 7.2 (A) shows that 138 (63.88 per cent) women eat cereals once in a
day, 164 (75.92 per cent) mostly women eat meal (cereals) twice in a day, 12 (5.55 per
cent) women eat cereals thrice or more than thrice in a day, 48 (22.22 per cent) women
did not eat cereals thrice or more than thrice in a day, whereas 156 (72.22 per cent)
women didn't respond about thrice or more than thrice in a day out of216 respondents.
TABLE- 7.2 (B)
FREQUENCY OF PULSES TAKEN BY WOMEN
Frequency of Pulses Number of Respondents Percentage
Daily 192 88.88
Once in two or three days 24 11.11
Once in a week 0 -
Once in fifteen days 0 -
Once in a month 0 -
Occasionally 0 -
Total 216 100.00
161
The table 7.2 (B) shows that 192 (88.88 per cent) women eat pulses daily
in their food, 24 (11.11 per cent) eat once in two or three days, mostly all of
respondents eat pulses daily in their food out of 216 women.
A herbaceous (green and leaf like in appearance or texture) plant cultivated for an
edible part, as roots, stems, leaves or flowers. Or you may say a vegetable is the edible
stems, leaves, and roots of the plant.
TABLE -7.2 (C)
FREQUENCY OF VEGETABLES TAKEN BY WOMEN
Frequency of Number of Percentage
Vegetables Respondents
Daily I60 74.07
Once In two or three 22 I O.I8
days
Once in a week 16 7.40
Once in fifteen days 4 1.85
Once in a month 6 2.77
Occasionally 8 3.70
Total 216 100.00
The table 7.2 (C) shows that I60 (74.07 per cent) women eat vegetables
daily in their food, 22 (I O.I per cent) eat once in two or three days, 16 (7 .40 per
cent) eat once in a week, 4 (1.85per cent) eat once in fifteen days, 6 (2.77 per
cent) women eat once in a month and 8 (3.70 per cent) women eat vegetable
occasionally out of 2I6 respondents.
162
TABLE -7.2 (D)
FREQUENCY OF DAIRY PRODUCTS TAKEN BY WOMEN
Frequency of Dairy Number of Percentage
Product Respondents
Daily 62 28.70
Once in two or three days 64 29.62
Once in a week 38 17.59
Once in fifteen days 26 12.03
Once in a month 20 9.25
Occasionally 6 2.77
Total 216 100.00
The table 7.2 (D) shows that most of respondents, 62 (28. 70 per cent)
women eat dairy product daily, 64 (29.62 per cent) eat once in two or three days,
38 (17 .59 per cent) eat once in a week, 20 (12.03 per cent) eat once in fifteen
days, 20 (9.25 per cent) women eat once in a month and 6 (2.77 per cent) women
eat dairy product occasionally out of 216 women.
Ripened seed-bearing part of a plant when fleshy and edible.
In other words, a "fruit" is any fleshy material covering a seed or seeds. Most
fruits, from a horticultural (science of cultivating) perspective, are grown on a
woody plant, with the exception of strawberries. Or you can say, generally say
that fruit is the edible part of the plant that contains the seeds. So your eggplant,
tomato, cucumber and zucchini are fruits.
163
TABLE-7.2 (E)
FREQUENCY OF FRUITS TAKEN BY WOMEN
Frequency of Fruits Number of Percentage
Respondents
Daily 20 9.25
Once in two or three days 48 22.22
Once in a week 20 9.25 '
Once in fifteen days 38 17.59
Once in a month 24 11.11
Occasionally 66 30.55
' Total 216 100.00
The table 7.1 (E) shows that 20 (9.25 per cent) women eat fruits daily
after food, 48 (22.22 per cent) eat once in two or three days, 20 (9.25 per cent)
eat once in a week, 38 (17 .59 per cent) eat once in fifteen days, 24 (11.11 per
cent) women eat once in a month and 66 (3.55 percent) eat occasionally out of
216 respondents.
164
TABLE- 7.2 (F)
FREQUENCY OF NON-VEG TAKEN BY WOMEN
Intake Frequency of Non- Number of Percentage
Vegetarian Products Respondents
Daily 4 1.85
Once in two or three days 9 4.16
Once in a week 19 8.79
Once in fifteen days 23 10.64
. Once in a month 44 20.37
Occasionally 32 14.81
Not at all 69 31.94
No response 16 7.40
Total 216 100.00
The table 7.2 (F) shows that 4 ( 1.85) women eat chicken/mutton and fish
daily, 9 ( 4.16 per cent) eat once in two or three days, 19 (8. 79 per cent) eat once
in a week, 23 (10.64 per cent) eat once in fifteen days, 44 (20.37 per cent)
women eat once in a month and 32 (14.81 per cent) women eat chicken/mutton
occasionally. 69 (31.94) did not eat at all and 16 (7.40) did not give any
response, out of 216 women.
165
A sweet crystalline or powdered substance, white when pure, consisting of
sucrose, obtained mainly from sugar cane and sugar beets and used in many
foods, drinks, and medicines to improve their taste.
TABLE- 7.2 (G)
FREQUENCY OF SUGAR TAKEN BY WOMEN
Intake Frequency of Sugar Number of Percentage
Respondents
Daily 180 83.33
Once in two or three days 16 7.40
Once in a week 8 3.70
Once in fifteen days 6 2.77
Once in a month 2 0.92
Occasionally 4 1.85
Total 216 100.00
The table 7.2 (G) shows that mostly of respondents 180 (83 .33 per cent)
women take sugar daily, 16 (7 .40 per cent) take once in two or three days, 8
(3.70 per cent) take once in a week, 6 (3.70 per cent) take once in fifteen days, 2
(0.92 per cent) women take once in a month and 4 (1.85 per cent) women take
occasionally out of 216 women.
CONSUMPTION OF FOOD DURING PREGNANCY:
Pregnant mothers always wonder what they should eat & what not. Some
say a mother should take the diet of two people because she needs to take care of
one more life. But is it true? If yes, what they should eat & if not how the baby
166
will get proper diet to grow as a healthy child. When you consult a doctor he will
say a pregnant mother must take a balanced diet. So that mother & child both get
a proper nutrition for their body. Basically Balanced diet must contain some or
other thing from the entire food group. Not only had this but balanced diet also
meant to keep track on the proper quantity, quality & reaction or allergy of any
food on mother.
TABLE- 7.3
FOOD TAKEN BY WOMEN DURING PREGNANCY
Food taken Number of Respondents Total
during Percentage
Pregnancy Yes No
Grain 216 (1 00.00) 0 216 (100.00)
Pulse 160 (74.07) 56 (25.92) 216 (100.00)
Vegetable 150 (69.44) 66 (30.55) 216 (100.00)
Milk/Curd 129 (59.72) 87 (40.27) 216 (1 00.00)
Clarified Butter 119 (55.09) 98 (45.37) 216 (100.00)
Sugar 206 (95.37) 10(4.62) 216 (100.00)
Fruit 138 (63.88) 78(36.11) 216 (100.00)
Chicken/Mutton 66 (30.55) 150 (69.44) 216 (100.00)
Breakfast- 120 (55.55) 96 ( 44.44) 216 (100.00)
Biscuit
(Figure in the brackets represents percentage)
167
The above table shows that, all 216 (1 00.00 per cent) women eat grain,
160 (74.07 per cent) pulses, 150 (69.44 per cent) eat vegetables, 129 (59.72 per
cent) women intake milk/curd, 87 (40.27 per cent) didn't. 119 (55.09 per cent)
intake clarified butter, 98 (45.37 per cent) didn't, 206 (95.09 per cent) intake
sugar, 10 (4.62 per cent) didn't, 16 eat fruits, 138 (63.88 per cent) didn't. 66
(30.55 per cent) eat chicken/mutton, 150 (69.44 per cent) didn't, 120 (55.55 per
cent) take biscuits in breakfast, 96 ( 44.44 per cent) didn't.
PREGNANT WOMEN AND REST:
State of no work or movement m order to relax, refresh one self, or
recover strength is called rest.
TABLE-7.4
DALlY ROUTINE OF TAKING REST BY WOMEN DURING
PREGNANCY
Daily Routine of Taking Number of Percentage
Rest Respondents
Less than 1 hour 52 24.07
1-2 hours 16 7.40
2-3 hours 99 45.83
More than 3 hours 49 22.68
Total 216 100.00
The above table 7.4 shows that, 52 (24.07 per cent) women take rest for
less than 1 hour daily, 16 (7.40 per cent) women take rest for 1-2 hour, 99
(45.83 per cent) women take rest for 2-3 hour and 49 (22.68 per cent) women
take rest for more than 3 hours daily out of 216 respondents.
168
WOMEN AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE:
Activity requiring physical effort carried out especially to sustain or
improve health and fitness.
TABLE-7.5
TYPE OF EXERCISE DONE BY WOMEN
Type of Exercise Number of Percentage
Respondents
Rigorous Exercise 38 17.59
Light Exercise 48 22.22
Morning exercise 40 18.51
Yoga 36 16.66
No Exercise 54 25
Total 216 100.00
The table 7.5 shows that, 38 (17.59 per cent) women do rigorous exercise,
48 (22.22 per cent) do light exercise, 40 ( 18.51 per cent) do morning exercise,),
only 36 (16.66 per cent) women do yoga and 54 (25 per cent) did not exercise,
out of 216 women.
WOMEN AND HER FREQUENCY OF MEALS:
Many people believe that eating more frequently than three meals per day
will improve nutrition and the ability to achieve and maintain a healthy body
weight.
169
TABLE 7.6
FREQUENCY OF MEALS TAKEN BY WOMEN
Frequency of meals Number of Percentage
taken in a day Respondent
Four times in a day II 5.09
Thrice in a day 50 23.I4
Twice in a day I26 58.33
Once in a day 29 I3.42
Total 216 100.00
The above table 7.6 shows that, II (5.09 per cent) women take eatable
things four times in a day, 50 (23.I4 per cent) women thrice in a day, mostly I26
(58.33 per cent) twice in a day out of 2I6 women.
TABLE-7.7
CAUSE OF DISEASES REPORTED BY RESPONDENTS
Causes of Diseases Number of Respondents Total
Reported by Women Percentage
Yes No
Deficiency of food 200 ( 92.59) I6 ( 7.40) 2I6 (IOO.OO)
Family tension & I60 ( 74.07) 56 (25.92 ) 2I6 (100.00)
Anxiety
Neglect of care in II5 ( 53.24) IOI ( 46.75) 2I6 (100.00)
I70
childhood
Seasonal change 128 ( 59.25) 88 ( 40.74) 216(100.00)
Hereditary composition 48 (22.22) 168 (77.77) 216 (100.00)
Improper habit of 118 (54.62) 98 (45.37) 216 (100.00)
taking Food
No proper storage of 116(53.70) 100 (46.29) 216 (100.00)
water
Bad sanitation 102 (47.22) 114 ( 52.77) 216 (100.00 •;
Unhealthy food habits 107 ( 49.53) 109 ( 50.47) 216(100.00)
Main utri ti on and food 135 ( 62.5) 81 (37.5) 216(100.00)
deficiency
Poor economic status 117(54.16) 99 ( 45.83) 216 (100.00)
Improper care during 134 ( 62.03) 82 (37.96) 216 (100.00)
delivery of child
(Figure in the brackets represents percentage)
The tab I e 7. 7 shows the opinion of respondents about causes of diseases.
200 (92.59 per cent) women believe that deficiency of food is the cause of
diseases while 16 (7.40 per cent) do not. 160 (74.07 per cent) women believe that
family tension and anxiety is the cause of diseases while 56 (25.92 per cent) do
not. 115 (53.24 per cent) women believe that neglect during childhood is the
cause of diseases while 101 ( 46.75 per cent) do not.
128 (59.25 per cent) women believe that seasonal change is the cause of
diseases while 88 (40.74 per cent) do not, 48 (22.22 per cent) women believe that
hereditary composition is the cause of diseases while 168 (77. 77 per cent) do not.
171
118 (54.62 per cent) women believe that bad habit of taking food is the cause of
diseases while 98 (45.29 per cent) do not, 116 (53.70 per cent) women believe
that no proper storage of water is the cause of diseases while 100 ( 46.29 per
cent) do not. 102 (47.22 per cent) women believe that bad sanitation is the cause
of diseases while 114 (52.77 per cent) do not. 107 (49.53 per cent) women
believe that unhealthy food habits are the cause of diseases while 109 (50.4 7 per
cent) do not. 135 (62.5 per cent) women believe that malnutrition and food
deficiency is the cause of diseases while 81 (37.5 per cent) do not 117 (54.16 per
cent) women believe that poor economic status is the cause of diseases. 134
(62.03 per cent) women believe that improper care during delivery of child
caring after birth is the cause of diseases while 82 (37 .96 per cent) do not.
BELIEFS, KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURAL PRACTICES:
Dietary habits are the habitual decisions a person or culture makes when choosing
what foods to eat. Many cultures hold some food preferences over other food. Dietary
choices can also define cultures and play a role in religion. In addition, the dietary
choices of different countries or regions have different characteristics. This is highly
related to a culture's cuisine.
TABLE-7.8
TYPE OF SEASON AND FOOD ITEMS
Season and of Food Items Number of Respondents Total
Percentage Winter Summer Rainy Season
Hot food items 164 (75.92) 34 (15.74) 18 (8.33) 216 (1 00.00)
Maize flour 132(61.11) 62 (28.70) 22 (8.33) 216 ( 100.00)
Bajra 142 (65.74) 56 (25.92) 18(10.18) 216 (100.00)
Arhar ki dal 162 (75) 48 (22.22) 6 ( 2.77) 216 (100.00)
172
Matar ki dal 148 (68.51 ) 42 (19.44) 26 (12.03) 216 (100.00)
Cauliflower 172 ( 79.62) 32 ( 14.81) 12 (5.55 ) 216 (1 00.00)
Jaggery 158 (73.14) 38 (17.59) 20 ( 9.25) 216 (100.00)
Ginger 186 (86.11 ) 14 (6.48) 16 ( 7.40) 216 (100.00)
(Figure in the brackets represents percentage)
The table 7.8 shows the suitable eatable materials taken during different
seasons. 164 (75.92 per cent) women eat hot eatable material in winter, 34 (15. 74
per cent) in summer and 18 (8.33 per cent) in the rainy season. 22 (8.33 per cent)
women eat maize flour in summer, 132 (61.11 per cent) in the winter and 22
(8.33) in the rainy season, 142 (65.74) women eat bajra in winter, 56 (25.92) in
summer and 18 (1 0.18 per cent) in the rainy season. 148 (68.51 per cent) women
eat arhar ki dal in winter, 42 (19.44 per cent) in the summer and 26 (12.03 per
cent) in the rainy season. 148 (68.51 per cent) women eat matar ki dal in winter,
48 (22.22 per cent) in summer and 26 (12.03 per cent) in the rainy season. 172
(79.62 per cent) women get cauliflower in winter, 32 (14.81 per cent) in summer
and 12 (5.55 per cent) in the rainy season. 186 (86.11 per cent) women get ginger
in winter, 14 (6.48 per cent) in summer and 16 (7.40 per cent) in the rainy
season. 158 (73.14 per cent) women get jaggery in winter, 38 (17 .59 per cent) in
summer and 20 (9.25 per cent) in the rainy season.
COLD FOOD:
About hot~cold beliefs in Indian cultures is described below. In this
culture, the relationship between food and health manifests itself most clearly in
the ways people classify foods as either hot or cold. Notably in this culture,
people refer to foods as hearty or cooling, in line with the idea that foods are
classified based on what effect they have on the body.
173
TABLE-7.9
INTAKE OF COLD FOOD ITEMS AND TYPE OF SEASON
Intake of Cold Food Number of Respondents Total
Items Percentage Winter Summer Rainy
Season
Curd 20 (9.25) 174 (80.55) 22 (10.18) 216 (1 00.00)
Masoor ki dal 46 ( 21.29) 11 0(50.92) 60(27.77) 216 (1 00.00)
Moong ki dal 39 (18.05 ) 136 (62.96) 41 ( 18.98) 216 (1 00.00)
Bakla ki dal 30 ( 13.88) 128 (59.25) 58 (26.85 ) 216 ( 100.00)
Gourd 69 (31.94 ) 87 (40.27) 60 (27. 77) 216 (100.00)
Lady finger 56 ( 25.92) 118 (54.62) 42 (19.44) 216 (100.00)
(Figure in the brackets represents percentage)
As table 7. 9 shows some of the cold food eatables and the appropriate
time to take them as asked by the respondents. 20 (9.25 per cent) women take
curd in winter, mostly 174 (80.55 per cent) in summer and 22 (1 0.18) in the rainy
season. 46 (21.29 per cent) women take masoor ki dal in winter. 110 (50.92 per
cent) take moong ki dal in summer and 41 ( 18.98 per cent) in rainy season. 128
(59.25 per cent) take bakla ki dal in summer. 87 ( 40.27 per cent) take gourd
during summer and 118 (54.62 per cent) lady finger in summer.
174
TABLE-7.10
SERVING OF FOOD IN THE F AML Y
Males are Served First Number of Percentage
Respondents
Yes 162 75.00
No 54 25.00
Total 216 100.00
The table 7.10 shows that during survey out of 216 women, 162 (75 per
cent) women replied that preference is given to male for serving the food,
whereas 54 (25 per cent) women replied that preference is not given to male for
serving the food.
TABLE-7.11
BETTER QUALITY FOOD SERVED TO MALES
Better Quality Food Served to Number of Percentage
Males Respondents
Yes 204 94.44
No 12 5.55
Total 216 100.00
The table 7.11 shows that the during survey carried out on 216 women,
204 (94.44 per cent) women replied that preference is given to male for taking
good food, whereas 12 (5.55 per cent) women replied preference is not given to
male for taking good food.
175
TABLE-7.12
DO MALES NEED MORE ENGERGY?
Do males need more energy? Number of Percentage
Respondents
Yes 200 92.59
No 16 7.40
Total 216 100.00
The table 7.12 shows that during survey on 216 women, 200 (92.59 per
cent) women replied that males need more energy, whereas 16 (7.40 per cent)
women replied that males do not need more energy
TABLE-7.13
SHOULD BOYS NEED MORE AND BETTER FOOD THAN GIRLS?
Boys need more & better food Number of Percentage
than girls Respondents
Yes 196 90.74
No 20 9.25
Total 216 100.00
The table? .13 shows that the during survey out of 216women, 196 (90. 7 4
per cent) women replied that boys need more & better food than girls whereas 20
(9.25 per cent) women replied boys do not need more & better food than girls.
176
TABLE-7.14
MAJOR SOURCES OF ENERGY VIEWED BY RESPONDENTS
Major source of Number of Respondents Total strength Percentage
Yes No No Response
Clarified butter 198 (91.66) 16(7.40) 2 (0.92 216 (100.00)
Milk 130 (60.18) 84 (38.88) 2 (0.92) 216 (100.00)
Chicken/Mutton 54 (25) 118 (54.62) 44 (20.37) 216 (1 00.00)
(Figure in the brackets represents percentage)
The table 7.14 shows that during survey on 216 women, 198 (91.66per
cent) women replied that clarified butter is the major source of energy, 16 (7 .40
per cent) didn't, 130 (60.18 per cent) replied milk, 84 (38.88 per cent) didn't. 54
(25 per cent) women replied chicken /mutton is a major source of energy, 72
replied chicken/mutton is not a major source of energy whereas 44 (20.37 per
cent) women didn't response about chicken/mutton.
A diet that contains adequate amounts of all the necessary nutrients
required for healthy of growth and activity.
TABLE-7.15
PRESENCE OF VEGETABLES AND FRUITS IN FOOD MEALS TAKEN
BY RESPONDENTS
Presence of Number of Respondents Total
Vegetables and Percentage
Fruits
Yes No
Fruits 136 (62.96) 80 (37.03) 216 (100.00
Vegetables 190 (87.96) 26 (12.03) 216 (100.00
177
(Figure in the brackets represents percentage)
The table 7.15 shows that during survey on 216 women, 190 (87 .96 per
cent) women replied that vegetables are available and 26 (12.03 per cent) women
told that vegetables are not available in their food. Whereas 136 (62.96 per cent)
women replied that fruits are available and 80 (3 7.03 per cent) replied that fruits
are not available in their food.
Any of a group of complex organic macromolecules that contain carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur and are composed of one or more
chains of amino acids are proteins. Proteins are fundamental. components of all
living cells and include many substances, such as enzymes, hormones, and
antibodies that are necessary for the proper functioning of an organism. They are
essential in the diet of animals for the growth and repair of tissue and can be
obtained from foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, and legumes.
TABLE-7.16
SOURCE OF PROTIEN IN DIET
Source Number of Respondents Total
of protein in diet Percentage
Yes No No 216
Response (1 00.00)
Pulse 110 (50.92) 10 (4.62) 96 (44.44) 216
(100.00)
Milk 135 (62.50) 73 (33. 79) 8 (3.70) 216
(1 00.00)
Chicken/Mutton 78(36.11) 102 (47.22) 36 (16.66) 216
(100.00)
(Figure in the brackets represents percentage)
178
The table 7.16 shows that during survey out of216 women, 110 (50.92 per
cent) women think that pulses are a source of protein while 10 ( 4.62 per cent)
didn't. 96 (44.44 per cent) didn't respond about this. 135 (62.50 per cent) think
that milk is a source of protein, 73 (33.79) didn't and 8 (3.70 per cent) women
didn't respond about milk. 78 (36.11 per cent) women think that chicken/mutton
are a source of protein while 102 (47.22 per cent) did not and 36 (16.66 per cent)
did not respond about this.
WOMEN AND FASTNG:
Prayer and fasting is defined as voluntarily going without food in order to
focus on prayer and fellowship with God. Prayer and fasting often go hand in
hand, but this is not always the case. You can pray without fasting, and fast
without prayer.
TABLE 7.17
FREQUENCY OF FAST BY WOMEN
Frequency of Number of Respondents Total
Fast by Women Percentage Yes No
Weekly 54 (25) 162 (75) 216 (I 00.00)
Monthly 128 (59.25) 88 (40.74) 216 (100.00)
Rarely 94(43.51) 122 (56.48) 216 (100.00)
(Figure in the brackets represents percentage
It is clear from the above table 7.17 that, 54 (25.00 per cent) women have
fast weekly, 162 (75 per cent) didn't, 128 (59.25 per cent) women have fast
monthly, 88 (40.74 per cent) didn't, 94 (43.51 per cent) women fast rarely and
122 (56.48 per cent) did not, out of216 women.
179
TABLE-7.18
INTAKE OF FOOD AND WATER DURING FAST
Intake of food & water Number of Percentage
during fast- Respondents
Not at all 60 27.77
Once in a day 28 12.96
Twice a day 70 32.40
Many times in a day 58 26.85
Total 216 100.00
It is clear from the above table 7.18 that, 60 (27. 77 per cent) women
didn't take food & water during fast, 28 (12.96 per cent) once in a day, 70 (32.40
per cent) twice in a day and 58 (26.85 per cent) many times in a day, out of 216
women.
TABLE-7.19
FASTING FOR WELLNESS OF SON AND HUSBAND
Fast for Wellness of Husband Number of Percentage
& Son Respondents
Yes 199 92.12
No 12 5.55
No response 5 2.31
Total 216 100.00
180
The table 7.19 shows that during survey out of 216 women, 199 (92.12 per
cent) women replied that they fast for their husband & son, 12 (5.55 per cent)
women replied that they didn't fast for the husband & son whereas 5 (2.31 per
cent) women didn't respond.
TABLE-7.20
FASTING FOR THE BETTERMENT OF FAMILY
Having fast for Betterment of Number of Percentage family Respondents
Yes 210 97.22
No 6 2.77
No response 0 0
Total - 216 100.00
The table 7.20 shows that during survey out of 21 6 women, 210 (97 .22 per
cent) women replied that they have fast for the betterment of their families, 6
(2. 77 per cent) women replied that they didn't have fast for the goodness of their
families.
TABLE -7.21
FASTING FOR HER OWN BETTERMENT
Fasting for her Own Number of Percentage Betterment Respondents
Yes 76 35.18
No 106 49 .07
No response 34 15.74
Total 216 100.00
181
The table 7.21 shows that during survey out of 216 women, 76 (35.18 per
cent) women replied that they have fast for the betterment of their self, 106
(49.07 per cent) women replied that they didn't have fast for the betterment of
their self whereas no information was found from 34 ( 15.7 4 per cent) women.
TABLE 7.22
FAST FOR THE PURIFCATION OF SELF
Fast for the Purification of Number of Percentage
Self Respondents
Yes 135 62.5
No 60 27.77
No response 21 9.72
Total 216 100.00 '
The table 7.22 shows that during survey out of 216 women, 135 (62.5 per
cent) women replied that they have fast for the purification of self, 60 (27. 77 per
cent) women replied that they didn't have fast for the purification of self whereas
no information was found from 21 (9.72 per cent) women.
TABLE-7.23
DO FAST FOR THE BETTERMENT OF HEALTH
Fast for the Betterment of Number of Percentage ·<
Health Respondents
Yes 80 37.03
No 105 48.61
No response 31 14.35
Total 216 100.00
The table 7.23 shows that during survey out of 216 women, 80 (3 7.03 per
cent) women replied that they have fast for the betterment of their health, 105
( 48.61 per cent) women replied that they didn't have fast for the betterment of
their health whereas no information was found from 31 (14.35 per cent) women.
TABLE -7.24
FAST AND RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
Fast and Religious Activity Number of Percentage
Respondents
Yes 209 96.75
No 0 0
No response 7 3.24
Total 216 100.00
183
The table 7.24 shows that 209 (96.75 per cent) women believe that fast is
a religious activity while 7 (3.24 per cent) women did not respond about this.
SUMMARY:
Food is a basic necessity of the life and all round development of a person
depends upon good nutrition. Family plays on important role in shaping the food
habits which are passed from one generation to another. The fact that women
need extra nutrients during pregnancy is hardly realized in many communities.
On the contrary a pregnant women's diet is restricted both qualitatively and
quantitatively, thus, precipitating or aggravating various nutrition deficits.
Poverty in the village is great, which results in the lower intake of nutritive food.
In the Uttar Pradesh village, perhaps the poor intake of nutrition is much due to
the traditional food-habits of the people. Being agriculturist, they have no idea of
a balanced diet. One is apt to consume more pulse and vegetables than milk and
curd. Most village-folk largely depend on wheat and rice. Corn and bajra
preparation is usually excluded from their diet. It is only occasionally (rarely)
taken. The ceremonial food-preparation also lacks nutritive value. Thus the
food-habits appear to be largely responsible for an unbalanced diet in the region.
Consequently, they result in the occurrence and breaking out of several diseases.
It is not only the intake of food, but also the norms of eating habits which are
vitally important for good health. Norms of eating' food and practice of serving
the food among the family members is also important. Even today, people in
rural areas indulge in discrimination in the distribution of food-items between
males and females with in the family. The most obvious and common reason
stated is that males need more energy as' do hard manual work, and they are the
bread-winners and chief earners in the family. Overall, it seems that cultural
subordination of females in decision-makings is responsible for unequal
distribution of food. The beliefs customs, attitudes traditions prevalent among
women folk cause various deficiency diseases. Approximately 97 per cent of
women had wheat flour as a main meal; nearly 88 per cent had rice, and 87 per
cent women use Arhar dal, seventy per cent use massor dal daily. Most nearly
sixty per cent take cereal once in a day.
184
All the women take grain and nearly three-fourth women consume pulses.
Seventy per cent take vegetables, 60 per cent women take milk/curd, and fifty
five per cent take butter. More then ninety five per cent take sugar. One fourth of
women take rest of less than 1 hour daily, and 8 per cent women take rest of 1-2
hours, and nearly forty five per cent of women take rest for 2-3 hour. The
concept of 'hot' and 'cold' food is quite familiar to all of us. Foods like eggs,
bajra, and fruits like papaya, tubers are supposed to be 'hot' foods. All the fruits
and vegetables like citrus fruits, cucurbits and green leafy vegetables and certain
other foods like buttermilk, curd are considered to be cold foods. Approximately
93 per cent women believe that deficiency of food is the cause of diseases, three
fourth of women believe that family tension and anxiety is the main causes of
diseases, nearly three-fourth of women. believe that improper care in childhood is
the cause of diseases. Approximately 60 per cent women believe that seasonal
change is the cause of diseases, whereas 23 per cent women believe that
hereditary composition is the cause of diseases, about fifty per cent women
believe that improper food habits is the cause of diseases, nearly fifty-five per
cent women believe that improper storage of water is the cause of diseases.
Nearly fifty per cent women believe that bad sanitation is the cause of diseases,
Whereas 63 per cent women believe that malnutrition and food deficiency is the
cause of diseases. In the present survey that thee-fourth of the women replied
that preference is given to male for serving the food, approximately 93 per cent
women replied that male need more energy. Nearly 90 per cent women replied
that boys need more & better food than girls. More than fifty per cent of women
keep monthly fast, and nearly ninety three per cent women replied that they keep
fast for their husband & son, and nearly 93 per cent women replied that they
keep fast for the goodness of their families.
185
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