Assessment of nutritional status among rural women of reproductive age group in Wayanad District, Kerala.

Background: Malnutrition among women in the reproductive age group is a significant risk factor for low birth weight and infant mortality rates. Recent statistics show that undernutrition and overnutrition are double the burden in many developing countries. Aim: To assess the nutritional status and identify risk factors of malnutrition among rural women in the reproductive age group, Wayanad District, Kerala. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with women aged 18 years to 49 years. A house-to-house survey was done in five villages, covering 56 participants from each village. Results: About 50.7% of women were 25-40 years old. A significant proportion of 60% was overweight or obese, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.34. Around 43.93% had moderate and 20.36% had high health risk waist - hip ratio (WHR). The mean waist circumference was 81.52. Employment (AOR 2.84, 95% CI 1.10 to 15.19, P = 0.046), fatty food intake (daily or weekly) AOR 4.88, 95% CI 9.43 to 17.29 (P < 0.001), sweet juices or soft drinks intake daily: AOR 2.23, 95% CI 3.44 to 13.96 (P = 0.11), physical activity (mild work) AOR 7.74, 95% CI 8.92 to 87.45 (P < 0.001), and television watching hours (daily) AOR 5.22, 95% CI 4.27 to 48.68 (P < 0.001) were found to be statistically significant with the BMI and WHR. Conclusion: The number of overweight and obese individuals with moderate to high-risk WHR was substantially higher in this study. An unbalanced, unhealthy diet, along with physical inactivity, contributes to the increase in the number of overweight individuals and central obesity.