Seasonal Food Intake and Nutrient Distribution Patterns among Rural Rajput Children, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Patterns of food consumption are of interest to both nutritionists and anthropologiest. Intra-household food allocation follows norms which include assumptions about the quantity, type and quality of food to be given to men, women and children. At the simplest level, differential food allocation can be seen from the fact that in absolute terms most adults are given more to eat than small children". However, relative to recommended requirements, nutrient intake can vary enormously between age groups, with implications for nutritional health. In South Asian countries, women and children suffer relative to men because they rank low in distribution of nutrient rich foods.