Nutrient gaps and hunger realities in marginalized coastal communities: A study from Kuzhuppilly Panchayath, Kerala

Abstract

The present study investigates the interrelationship between socioeconomic status, food security, and dietary adequacy among Below Poverty Line (BPL) households in Kuzhuppilly Panchayath, a coastal village in Kerala. A total of 200 households were surveyed to assess their socioeconomic status using the updated Kuppuswamy scale (2023) and food security status using the USDA Household Food Security Survey Module. Findings revealed that 71% of households belonged to the Upper Lower class, 22% to the Lower Middle class, and 5.5% to the Lower class, indicating a significant concentration in economically disadvantaged categories. No families were classified in the Upper class. Food security data showed that while 63.5% of families were food secure, 36.5% experienced food insecurity, including 27% with food insecurity without hunger, 7.5% with moderate hunger, and 4.5% with severe hunger. Severe food insecurity was notably higher among households without children (5.1%) compared to those with children (0.97%), possibly reflecting disparities in welfare coverage. To evaluate nutritional adequacy, dietary intake data of 40 women were analyzed against ICMR (2020) RDA for sedentary women using one-sample t-tests. The results revealed that while protein (104.2%), total fat (129.8%), folate (78.05%), vitamin B12 (181.5%), and selenium (100.4%) intake were adequate or above RDA levels, significant deficits were found in energy (72.7%), iron (59.6%), calcium (14.3%), dietary fibre (67.3%), and zinc (49.5%) (p<0.01), highlighting prevalent micronutrient inadequacy. Despite residing in an agriculturally rich region, a substantial proportion of the population continues to experience both caloric and nutrient deficits, indicating that food availability does not translate to nutritional adequacy. These findings highlight a strong correlation between low socioeconomic status and poor nutritional outcomes, underscoring the need for integrated public health interventions. Policy efforts should focus on improving livelihood opportunities, expanding food-based welfare schemes, and enhancing community-level nutritional education to address the dual burden of under nutrition and hidden hunger in vulnerable coastal populations.