Dietary diversity among women in the reproductive age group in a rural field practice area of a medical college in Mandya district, Karnataka, India Shashikantha SK, Sheethal MP*, Vishma BK INTRODUCTIONNutrition is a main component of health and development. 1 All people need a variety of foods to meet requirements for essential nutrients, and the value of a diverse diet has long been recognized. Dietary diversity is a qualitative measure of food consumption that reflects household access to a variety of foods, and is also a proxy for nutrient adequacy of the diet of individuals. Lack of diversity is a severe problem among poor populations in the developing world, where diets are based predominantly on starchy staples which lack essential micronutrients and contribute to the burden of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. 2,3More specifically women in the reproductive age group and children are most vulnerable to malnutrition due to low dietary intakes, inequitable distribution of food within the household, improper food storage and preparation, dietary taboos, infectious diseases, and care. 4 Poor health has repercussions not only for women but also their families. Women in poor health are more likely ABSTRACT Background: Micronutrient malnutrition remains one of the largest nutritional problems worldwide. Monotonous diets based on starchy staples lack essential micronutrients and contribute to the burden of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. Intake of diverse diet is a cost-effective strategy to overcome this problem. The objective of the study was to assess the dietary diversity among women in reproductive age group in a rural field practice area and to determine the nutritional status of the women in the reproductive age group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 3months in the rural area. Women in reproductive age group were included in the present study. A pretested questionnaire was used to obtain the information regarding their socio-demographic profile and food consumed. Dietary diversity score was measured using the food and agricultural organization (FAO) guidelines. Weight, height and waist circumference of the participants were measured to determine their nutritional status. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 33.68±9.27 years. Majority of them had dietary diversity score (DDS) and food variety score (FVS) score above 5 and 4 respectively. Mean BMI was 23.26±4.31 kg/mt 2 .Fifty percent of them had a Normal BMI range. One third (28.6% ±6.5%) of them were malnourished. The mean waist circumference was 79.31±10.58cms. On application of logistic regression, those aged between 15-30 years had better odds of having DDS of 5 and above (aOR 2.348 CI 0.743-7.424). Subjects with normal BMI range also had better odds of having DDS of 5 and above . Conclusions:The study found most of the women in the reproductive age group were consuming a diverse diet and those subjects with better dietary diversity score had their body mass index in the normal range.

Background: Diversified diet is the key to combat micronutrient deficiency in India. Kitchen garden is a sustainable approach to provide diversified diet in rural area. Aims and Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the utilization and perception of kitchen garden use among the households in rural area. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study carried out among women in the age group 18–65 years in Nagamangala was asked about the details on awareness and utilization of kitchen garden. Results: One-third of the study subjects were in the age group 30–40 years. About 18.2% of them were involved in some form of agriculture related work. Around 64% of the households had space available for kitchen garden. About 54% households had kitchen garden and 95% of the subjects used their kitchen garden products for self-use. Conclusion: Having kitchen garden contributes to household food security by providing direct access to food that can be easily harvested, prepared, and consumed.