Nutritional Status of Rural Pregnant Women of Haryana State,Northern India

Average daily food intakes of 90 rural pregnant women belonging to arid, semi-arid and wet zones of Haryana State, Northern India have been determined. As a result of questionnaires and interviews, food intake for three consecutive days were collected. Intakes of cereals, pulses, roots and tubers, other vegetables and sugar and jaggery by the respondents were significantly lower than the prescribed Indian Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI). The consumption of milk and milk products and fats and oils was significantly higher than that of RDI whereas, green leafy vegetables and fruits were the most limited food items. As the diets of rural pregnant women were inadequate with respect to some food groups, which resulted in lower intake of protein, β-carotene and ascorbic acid. Despite their poor intake their weights and heights were not much below the standards. BMI classification projected that only about one fourth of the respondents were underweight. There is pressing need to educate rural pregnant women regarding their increased nutritional requirements.