Assessment of Nutritional Status of Women Belonging to Self-Help Group in North Chennai and Conduct of a Nutrition Education Program

Abstract

Lifestyle and dietary habits play a significant role in determining the risk of developing metabolic disorders, particularly among women in low-income communities. This study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status and health awareness of women belonging to Self-Help Groups (SHG) in North Chennai and to implement a targeted Nutrition Education Program. The study included 150 participants and involved the collection of demographic data, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, and skinfold thickness), blood pressure recording and dietary assessment using a food frequency questionnaire and a 3-day food record. A pre- and post -test questionnaire was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Nutrition Education Program. The findings revealed that many participants had unhealthy eating patterns, including low intake of whole grains, fruits and green leafy vegetables, along with frequent consumption of refined oils and fried snacks. Most of the participants were overweight or obese with elevated BMI and skinfold thickness and were hypertension. Nutrient analysis showed excessive intake of energy, carbohydrate and fats, with deficiencies in iron and vitamin D. The Nutrition Education Program significantly improved participants’ knowledge of balanced diets and healthy lifestyle practices. The study concluded that awareness and education can serve as effective tools in improving nutritional habits and reducing the risk of lifestyle-related disorders in community settings.

Introduction

I. Introduction

• Nutritional status reflects health, determined by intake, absorption, and nutrient utilization.

• Poor diets rich in saturated fats and processed foods contribute to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and malnutrition globally.

• In India, urbanization has worsened dietary imbalances, leading to a triple burden: undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies.

• Women (especially aged 30–50) face higher nutritional risks like anaemia, osteoporosis, and intergenerational malnutrition.

• In Tamil Nadu, 53% of women aged 15–49 are anaemic (NFHS-5), with similar trends in tribal and low-income populations.

• Contributing factors include poor iron/calcium intake, limited sun exposure, sedentary lifestyles, and cultural food habits.

• Programs like Anaemia Mukt Bharat and UNICEF interventions exist, but low-income SHG women still face challenges due to limited access to health services and nutrition education.

• SHGs, through schemes like DAY-NRLM, MKSP, and Ujjwala Yojana, can be leveraged for nutrition education and empowerment.

II. Literature Review

A. SHGs and Empowerment

• SHGs improve women’s financial independence and social standing. Programs like Swabhimaan use SHG women as “PoshanSakhis” to promote maternal and child health.

B. Nutritional Challenges and SHGs as Enablers

• SHG women often face food insecurity and poor diets but benefit from peer support, shared resources, and group-based interventions.

C. Good Nutrition and Women’s Health

• Proper nutrition is key to preventing anaemia, osteoporosis, and NCDs. Essential nutrients include iron, calcium, folate, and vitamin D.

D. Marginalized Communities

• Women from low-income backgrounds suffer from "hidden hunger" — micronutrient deficiencies that affect immunity and productivity.

E. Recommended Dietary Allowances (ICMR 2020)

• Includes: Energy – 1900 kcal/day, Iron – 29 mg/day, Calcium – 1000 mg/day, Vitamin D – 600 IU, etc.

F. Common Deficiencies

• NFHS-5 shows 57% anaemia prevalence. Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies are also common, especially in postmenopausal women.

G. Tamil Nadu SHG Context

• SHG women in Tamil Nadu face low dietary diversity and limited fortified food access, especially in tribal areas.

H. Socio-Cultural Influences

• Education, income, and gender norms shape dietary habits and food access, often disadvantaging women.

I. SHGs as Nutrition Platforms

• SHGs can disseminate nutrition knowledge through programs like ICDS and community kitchens.

J. Case Studies

• Kitchen gardens and anaemia control programs in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh showed improved nutrition outcomes.

III. Research Methodology

• Objective: Assess the nutritional status and impact of a Nutrition Education Program on SHG women (aged 30–50) in North Chennai.

• Sample: 150 women selected from the Magalir Mandram Association using random sampling.

• Tools: Anthropometric, dietary, clinical assessments; pre/post-tests for knowledge evaluation.

• Intervention: Visual aids, food demonstrations, health tips, and awareness on diet and disease.

• Analysis: Descriptive and inferential statistics used to evaluate health status and program effectiveness.

IV. Key Results

Demographics

• Average age: 41.26 years

• 60.7% completed school; 94% in low-income group

• 48% unemployed; 85.3% in nuclear families

Lifestyle & Health

• 100% sleep-deprived; 52.7% physically active

• High family history of diabetes and hypertension

• 80.7% not on any medication despite chronic conditions

Conclusion

The study provided valuable insights into the dietary habits, lifestyle practices and health awareness among Self-Help Group women from MagalirMandram Association, Madhavaram, Chennai. The results revealed that the overall dietary pattern and lifestyle among the participants were not satisfactory, emphasizing the potential risk of metabolic disorders and non-communicable diseases. The mean nutrient intake of energy, protein, carbohydrate,fat, and fiber were significantly higher than the recommended dietary allowances among the women because their nutritional quality of their diets was poor. Their food choices showed limited intake of whole grains, green leafy vegetables, pulses, fruits and high consumption of refined oils, sugars, fried snacks, as well as frequent tea and coffee consumption which contributes to micronutrient deficiencies and metabolic disturbances. Interestingly, despite the limited intake of whole plant foods, fiber intake was found to be high – possibly due to the frequent consumption of traditional snacks made with gram flour or coarse ingredients. However, this fiber was not accompanied by the broader nutritional benefits typically provided by whole foods, leading to imbalanced nutrient profiles and potential health risks.Additionally, majority of them skipped meals, especially breakfast, which further enhances these risks.Majority of the participants were deficient in iron and vitamin D and it is essential to correct these deficiencies by incorporating iron and Vitamin D rich foods in their diet to lead a healthy life. Calcium also slightly lower than RDA, to overcome that they have to include more dairy products and other calcium rich foods in their diet.Importantly, the nutrition education program conducted as part of this study served as a critical intervention. It significantly improved the participants’ awareness of healthy eating practices and the importance of balanced nutrition. The program empowered women with practical knowledge, helping them make informed dietary and lifestyle choices. This educational effort represents a crucial step toward reducing nutrition-related health risks and promoting long-term well-being. Continued community-based nutrition education can be a powerful tool in enabling women to lead healthier and more productive lives.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 M. N. Ayswarya, 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.