Doctor of Philosophy in Home Science

266 Pages·2013·3.17 MB·English

FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY SCENARIO OF BPL
FAMILIES OF CENTRAL ZONE OF KERALA

By

BLOSSOM K. L.
(2010-24-102)

THESIS

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement
for the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy in Home Science
(FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION)

Faculty of Agriculture

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

Department of Home Science

COLLEGE OF HORTICULTURE
VELLANIKKARA, THRISSUR-680 656
KERALA, INDIA

2013
DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this thesis entitled “Food and Nutritional Security Scenario of
BPL Families of Central Zone of Kerala” is a bonafide record of research work done by
me during the course of research and that it has not been previously formed the basis for
the award to me of any degree, diploma, associateship, fellowship or other similar title of
any other University or Society.

Vellanikkara Blossom K. L.
Date: 03.08.2013
CERTIFICATE

Certified that this thesis, entitled " Food and Nutritional Security Scenario of BPL
Families of Central Zone of Kerala” is a record of research work done independently by
Mrs. Blossom K. L. under my guidance and supervision and that it has not previously
formed the basis for the award of any degree, fellowship or associateship to her.

Vellanikkara Dr. V. Indira
Date: 03.08. 2013 Professor and Head
Department of Home Science
College of Horticulture
Vellanikkara
CERTIFICATE

We, the undersigned members of the Advisory Committee of Mrs. Blossom K. L. a
candidate for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Home Science with major field in
Food Science and Nutrition, agree that the thesis entitled “Food and Nutritional
Security Scenario of BPL Families of Central Zone of Kerala” may be submitted by
Mrs. Blossom K. L. in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree.

Dr. V. Indira
(Chairperson)
Professor and Head
Department of Home Science
College of Horticulture
Vellanikkara

Dr. P. Ahamed Sri. S. Krishnan
Professor Associate Professor & Head
Department of Agricultural Extension Department of Agricultural Statistics
College of Horticulture College of Horticulture
Vellanikkara Vellanikkara
(Member) (Member)

Dr. P. Indira Devi Dr. Suman K. T
Professor Assistant Professor
Dept. of Agricultural Economics Department of Home Science
College of Horticulture College of Horticulture
Vellanikkara Vellanikkara
(Member) (Member)

EXTERNAL EXAMINER
Dr. D. Malathi, Ph.D
Professor of Food Science and Nutrition
Post Harvest Technology Centre
Agrl. Engg. College and Research Institute
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
Acknowledgement
With immense pleasure, I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to
Dr. V. Indira, Professor and Head, Department of Home Science, College of Horticulture,
Vellanikkara and Chairperson of my advisory committee for suggesting the field of
investigation and exceptional guidance extended throughout the study.

I am extremely delighted to place on record my profound sense of gratitude to
Dr. P. Ahamed, Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension for his suggestions and
guidance in conducting the PRA sessions during the conduct of this research work.

I sincerely thank Dr. P. Indira Devi, Professor, Department of Agricultural
Economics for her interest, cooperation and encouragement.

I also avail this opportunity to thank Sri. S. Krishnan, Associate Professor and
Head, Department of Agricultural Statistics, for his expert advice, kind concern and ever
willing help, extended for statistical interpretation of the whole data.

I am deeply indebted to Dr. K. T. Suman, Assistant Professor, Department of
Home Science, for the valuable suggestions, timely and immense help rendered by her
throughout the study and preparation of manuscript. I also thank Dr. Lakhshmy P.S,
Teaching Assistant, Department of Home Science, for her valuable assistance and
guidance throughout this research work.

Special thanks to Dr. Titto Rahim, NCD Medical Officer, Community Health
Centre, Vellanikkara, Thrissur for conducting the clinical examination. My sincere thanks
to Santhom Laboratory, Moovattupuzha and the staff who made possible the difficult task
of blood collection and analysis.

I also thank the staff of Braintech, Apple and Kuntham Computers for their
valuable help in DTP work.

A special word of thanks to my friends Lilia, Simi, Swathi, Aswathy, Suvarna,
Shahanas, Shahla, Nishita and Chandini for all the encouragement and assistance.
The award of Senior Fellowship by Kerala Agricultural University is greatly
acknowledged.

I wish to place on record the affectionate help and encouragement rendered by my
parents, brother, sister and in-laws and I thank them sincerely.

The unerring support and deep concern of my husband for the successful
completion of the thesis is affectionately acknowledged. I am also deeply indebted to my
son Kurian.

Last but not the least my sincere and deepest appreciation to all the respondents
for their willingness and cooperation which made this study possible.

Above all, I humbly bow before Almighty whose constant blessings enabled me to
complete this project successfully.

Thank you one and all

Blossom K.L.
CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE NO.
1 INTRODUCTION 1
2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE 4
3 MATERIALS AND METHODS 23
4 RESULTS 38
5 DISCUSSION 141
6 SUMMARY 162
REFERENCES i-xxiv
APPENDICES
ABSTRACT
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
Title
No. No.
1 Modified indicators for measurement of food security 33
2 Details regarding religion, caste, type of family and family size 39
3 Distribution of family members according to age and sex 40
4 Educational status of family members above 18 years 41
5 Educational status of children and adolescents 42
6 Occupational status of family members 43
7 Supplementary enterprises preferred by women 44
8 Education and occupation of the head of family 45
9 Monthly income of the families 46
10 Per capita income of the families 46
11 Possession of land and details of crops 48
12 Domestication of animals 49
13 Details about savings 50
14 Details of loan taken 51
15 Monthly expenditure pattern of the families 53
16 Housing conditions of the families 54-55
17 Personal habits of the family members 56
18 Health care facilities in the locality 57-58
19 Details of people – institution linkage 59
20 Details of morbidity and mortality pattern 60
21 Details about immunisation for children 61
22 Details of food habit 62
23 Details about meal pattern 62
24 Food preference of women and children for breakfast 63
25 Food preference of women and children for lunch 63
Table Page
Title
No. No.
26 Consumption of raw vegetables and fruits 64
27 Food expenditure pattern of the families 66
28 Place of purchase of different food items 67
29 Frequency of purchase of food items 68
Percentage of requirement met by the families on the basis of the quantity
30 69
of foods purchased
31 Frequency of use of different food items 71
32 Frequency score of different food items 72
33 Details of frequency of use of different food items 72
34 Coping strategies during food crisis 73
35 Details of preservation practices adopted 74
Per capita intake of cereals among family members in comparison with
36 76
the requirement (g/cu/ day)
Per capita intake of pulses among family members in comparison with the
37 77
requirement (g/cu/ day)
Per capita intake of roots and tubers among family members in
38 79
comparison with the requirement (g/cu/ day)
Per capita intake of leafy vegetables among family members in
39 80
comparison with the requirement (g/cu/ day)
Per capita intake of other vegetables among family members in
40 81
comparison with the requirement (g/cu/ day)
Per capita intake of fruits among family members in comparison with the
41 83
requirement (g/cu/ day)
Per capita intake of milk and milk products among family members in
42 84
comparison with the requirement (g/cu/ day)
Per capita intake of non vegetarian foods among family members in
43 85
comparison with the requirement (g/cu/ day)
Per capita intake of fats and oils among family members in comparison
44 86
with the requirement (g/cu/ day)
Per capita intake of sugar and jaggery among family members in
45 87
comparison with the requirement (g/cu/ day)
46 Dietary inclusion of different food groups among family members 88
Table Page
Title
No. No.
47 Per capita energy intake of family members in comparison with RDA 90
48 Per capita protein intake of family members in comparison with RDA 91
49 Per capita fat intake of family members in comparison with RDA 92
50 Per capita calcium intake of the family members in comparison with RDA 93
51 Per capita iron intake of family members in comparison with RDA 94
52 Per capita carotene intake of family members in comparison with RDA 96
53 Per capita thiamine intake of family members in comparison with RDA 97
54 Per capita riboflavin intake of family members in comparison with RDA 98
55 Per capita niacin intake of family members in comparison with RDA 99
56 Per capita vitamin C intake of family members in comparison with RDA 100
57 Percentage of RDA met for nutrients by children below 10 years 101
58 Percentage of RDA met for nutrients among children (10-12 years) 103
59 Percentage of RDA met for nutrients among adolescents (13 -17 years) 104
60 Percentage of RDA met for nutrients among adults 105
61 Percentage of RDA met for nutrients by the families 106
62 Mean weight of family members 108
63 Nutritional status of children (< 6 years) on the basis of weight for age 108
64 Mean height of family members 109
65 Nutritional status of children (< 6 years) on the basis of height for age 110
66 Mean Mid Upper Arm Circumference of children (< 6 years) 110
67 Mean head and chest circumference of children (6 months to 5 years) 111
68 Head/chest circumference ratio of children (6 months to 5 years) 111
69 Nutritional status of children (7 to12 years) on the basis of weight for age 112
70 Nutritional status of children (7 to 12 years) on the basis of height for age 113
71 Mean Mid Upper Arm Circumference of children (7 to 12 years) 113
Distribution of children (< 12 years) on the basis of weight for age and
72 115
height for age