Nutritional Status of Women Working in Ginning Mills

Abstract

In unorganised sectors like agriculture, dairying, animal husbandry and other related industries 94 per cent are working. Women engaged in these occupations are exposed to physical stresses and chemical toxicants leading to health problems, which are further aggravated because of malnutrition, anaemia, frequent child birth and infection. In the unorganised sector women are paid low wages and their wages are just sufficient to maintain subsistance level. The dietary pattern of industrial workers is based on cereals and grossly inadequate in protective foods. The diet consumed by these women are deficient in calories, protein, vitamin A, riboflavin and iron. The extent of deficit depends upon the age, socio-economic status and nutritional knowledge of women.