Estimation of Nutritional Diversity and Status among Rural Households of Uttar Pradesh in the North India

This community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 adult female subjects sampled from rural households in Kannauj district, Uttar Pradesh to assess the intake of macro and micronutrients in the population. The selection of the subjects was done by simple random sampling. The socioeconomic information was taken by pre-tested interview schedule. Anthropometric measurements and dietary intake of the subjects were assessed using standard methods. The Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) values were used as standards to estimate the micronutrient intake among the population. The mean per cent adequacy of consumption of nutrients and eleven micronutrients was 43.05 and 36.46% respectively. The intake of majority of nutrients was found less than half of the recommended dietary allowances. The association of nutrient consumption with weight, body mass index and calorie intake were investigated by multiple linear regression. The study concluded that despite good crop productivity in the western region of Uttar Pradesh the intake of macro and micronutrients was insufficient among the rural population.