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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)


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)


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


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)


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)


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)


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





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 a week 20 9.25 '



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 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





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


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)


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)


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)


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


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)


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


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 '


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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