Assessment of Nutritional Status among Selected School Teachers in South Chennai and Conduct of a Nutrition Education Program

Abstract

Nutritional awareness and dietary practices among working women in the teaching profession are critical aspects of their overall health and productivity, particularly in an urban setting like Chennai city. Female educators often juggle professional duties alongside domestic responsibilities, leading to compromised eating habits and nutritional neglect. This review involves the understanding of balanced diets, actual dietary behaviour and the barriers they face in maintaining consistent nutrition. A descriptive research method was employed, collecting data from 150 participants using a structured questionnaire. The findings indicated a moderate level of awareness but a noticeable gap in practical adherence due to time limitations, work pressure and lifestyle constraints. The findings underscore the importance of regular nutrition education and workplace wellness initiatives tailored to the needs of working women in the education sector

Introduction

The World Health Organization's (WHO) 2016–2025 nutrition strategy emphasizes evidence-based approaches to address global nutrition issues such as malnutrition, obesity, and non-communicable diseases. Tools like the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and anthropometric measurements help assess nutritional health, especially in women who face unique nutritional needs during different life stages. Cultural and socio-economic factors often lead working women, especially teachers, to neglect their own nutrition due to time constraints, stress, and reliance on processed foods, increasing their risk for obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic conditions.

In India, female teachers face high workloads at work and home, contributing to poor dietary habits, nutrient deficiencies (iron, calcium, vitamin D, folate), and lifestyle-related diseases such as anaemia, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Limited physical activity, poor nutrition literacy, and high stress are common, particularly in urban settings. The WHO recommends at least 150 minutes of weekly physical activity, but only a small percentage of working women meet this guideline.

The study focused on women teachers (aged 30–45) in South Chennai, using structured questionnaires, food records, and physical assessments to determine their nutritional status. Results from 150 participants showed:

• 52.6% overweight, 21.3% obese

• 56% had central obesity, 28.6% had pre-hypertension

• Common nutritional deficiencies: anaemia (40%), brittle nails, dry skin, and hair loss

• Poor eating habits: frequent skipping of meals, low fruit/vegetable intake, and low water consumption

• Strong correlation between BMI and waist circumference, and a moderate to strong correlation with blood pressure

A nutrition education program was implemented using various teaching aids, aiming to raise awareness about balanced diets, physical activity, and disease prevention. Post-intervention analysis highlighted the importance of tailored strategies to support teachers' health and productivity.

Conclusion

The present study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and dietary practices of women school teachers aged 30–45 years in South Chennai. A total of 150 participants were selected from two private schools using simple random sampling. The study design was descriptive in nature, and the methodology involved multiple phases including the collection of demographic data, dietary assessment through food frequency questionnaire and 3-day record, anthropometric measurements, clinical assessments, blood pressure recording, and evaluation of nutritional knowledge before and after a structured Nutrition Education Program. The study revealed that a significant number of respondents had unhealthy eating habits such as skipping meals (especially breakfast), frequent consumption of processed and outside food, low intake of fruits and vegetables, inadequate water consumption, and minimal physical activity. The anthropometric measurements indicated that 52.6% of the women were overweight and 21.3% were obese. Waist circumference and skinfold thickness suggested central obesity in more than half of the participants. Clinical observations showed visible signs of nutritional deficiencies like pale conjunctiva, brittle nails, hair fall, and dry skin. Blood pressure levels also indicated that many participants were in the pre- hypertensive or hypertensive category. Nutrient intake analysis revealed that energy, protein, fat, fibre, calcium, iron and vitamin D consumption was significantly below the recommended dietary allowances. The mean intake of energy was 1384 kcal (69.2% of RDA), and protein was 41g (68.3%). These deficiencies were attributed to poor food choices and time constraints due to workload and domestic responsibilities. The correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationship between BMI and waist circumference, and a significant association with blood pressure.The Nutrition Education Program conducted for the respondents proved to be effective. Pre- and post-test results indicated a significant increase in nutritional knowledge after the intervention. The findings underscore the importance of regular nutrition assessments and health awareness programs for working women. Women teachers, in particular, play a critical role in influencing young minds, and their health and nutrition are essential not only for their well-being but also for setting a healthy example for students. In conclusion, the study emphasized that women teachers in the 30–45 age group are at nutritional risk and require targeted interventions to improve their dietary habits and lifestyle. The structured education program helped enhance their understanding of nutrition and motivated them to adopt healthier practices. There is a need for continuous nutrition education, wellness initiatives, and support systems at the workplace to ensure long-term health benefits and improved quality of life for women in the teaching profession

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Jerusha Sheryn S., Dr. Sheba Sangeetha Jeyaraj. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.