Food consumption pattern and dietary intake of obese vs non-obese women

Abstract

The present study on 60 women in the age group of 30-45 years, residing in CCS HAU, Hisar Campus, was done to assess their dietary habits and food intake frequency. Sixty women selected were further classified as obese (30) and non-obese (30) on the basis of their Body Mass Index (BMI). Women having Body Mass Index (BMI) less than 25 were classified as non-obese and women having BMI more than 27.5 were classified as obese. It was found that majority (98.0%) of them were vegetarian. Majority (83 to 100%) of them were consuming wheat, potato, tomato, milk, curd, sugar, desi ghee, onion, garlic and green chillies on daily basis. Few (16.67%) of them consumed eggs on daily basis and 96.67 per cent were not consuming meat. Majority of obese (76.7%) and non-obese (86.7%) women consumed cereals, 100 per cent and above, the RDI. Only 20 and 16.7 per cent of obese and non-obese women, respectively, consumed adequate amount of pulses. Majority of obese respondents 66.7 to 83.3 per cent consumed inadequate amount of green leafy vegetables, other vegetables and fruits. Majority of obese women i.e. 93.3 and 100 per cent consumed sugar and jaggery and fats and oils in adequate amounts. Mean daily intake of pulses, roots and tubers, green leafy vegetables, other vegetables and fruits among non-obese women was 73, 48, 31, 40, and 24 percent of RDI, respectively. Milk and milk products’ intake of majority (63.3%) of non-obese respondents was adequate while fruit intake by 63.3 per cent was inadequate. There is need to provide nutrition education to the women for improvement in their protective food intake specially milk, egg, fruits and vegetables.