Food consumption pattern of selected farm families in Thiruvananthapuram district

Abstract

The study entitled food consumption pattern of selected farm families in Thiruvananthapuram District was conducted among the farm families in Venganoor Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram.

It was found that majority of the families were Hindus and belonged to fore ward community. Nuclear type small sized families characterized these farm families. Majority of the families were found to have pre-adolescent and adolescent aged children and majority of the family members, irrespective of the land holdings had medium level of education . Majority of the members of the smaller holdings were employed as casual labourers and in bigger holdings, many of them were found to be government employees or private employees.

Higher monthly income was observed among the families of larger holdings so also increased the contribute of total income.

Expenditure pattern of the families revealed that, the major expenditure for food, and the percentage of income spend on food decreased in the families of larger holdings. All the families irrespective of the land holdings were found to save a portion of their income for future use.

Agricultural practices of the farm families indicated that coconut, fruits and some vegetables are grown in their farms. In addition , the families of larger holdings were found to cultivate paddy. Many the farm produce were found to be utilized in these families.

Major share of the food budget goes for the staple food articles in the families of smaller holdings. The money incurred for the purchase of pulses, vegetables, roots & tubers was found to be comparatively less. Fish was found to be a delicacy for all the groups of families.

Most frequently used food items were cereals, vegetables ,fish, milk and sugar in all the four categories of surveyed families and majority of them followed three meal pattern families of larger holding were found to include better food combinations for daily meal pattern.

Simple cooking methods were adopted in the surveyed farm families and majority of the families were not found to preserve foods when there is a surplus.

Foods provided during different stages of life cycle indicated that, for infants, all the categories of families were found to provide special foods. Where as families of larger holdings provide special foods for pregnant and lactating mothers.

Family size was found to be correlated in the expenditure pattern on foods viz cereals in all the groups of land holdings.

Weight for age profile of the members of the farm families indicated that majority of the adults and adolescents were below the prescribed standard.

Based on the grades of malnutrition, majority of the adult members belonged to normal groups where as majority of the male and female adolescents were in grade I malnutrition. Compared to male members, female members were found to be healthier.

Average height for age profile of the adult male was 164.8 and that for female was 154.7 cm and adolescents belonging to all the four groups of land holdings were below the prescribed standards.

According to Body Mass Index, majority of the male and female members were also found to be in the normal group of chronic deficiency and majority of the adolescents belonged to surveyed families were moderate type of chronic Energy Deficiency group.

Actual food intake of the members of the farm families revealed that, cereals, pulses, fish and fruit consumption was appreciable in adolescents and in adult members, cereals, fish and fruit consumption was satisfactory. Intake of all the other food groups viz vegetables, green leafy vegetables, milk roots & tubers were below the standard prescribed.

Energy intake of the adult male members were below the RDA and except in group I adult female, energy intake was sufficiently met.

Protein intake was insufficiently met in the adults belonging smaller land holdings and also in male adolescents.

Adolescents such as iron, B-Complex were met satisfactorily in adult males where as it was insufficiently met in adult females. Average nutrient intake of adolescents were found to be below the recommended allowances in all the four groups of land holdings.

Nutrients such as iron, B-complex were met satisfactorily in adult males were as it was insufficiently met in adult females. Average nutrient in take of adolescents were found to be below the recommended allowances in all the four groups of land holdings.

Clinical examination of the farm families revealed that, both adult and adolescent females were found to be free from the clinical manifestation of deficiency disease except in the case of anaemia in females.

Vitamin A, B-Complex deficiencies dental caries, thyroid enlargement were some of the clinical symptoms of adults and adolescents of the farm families.

Majority of the female members were found to have low haemoglobin levels than male members.

Nutritional Status Index indicated that size of land holdings does not have much affect on the Nutritional status Index of the members of the farm families.