Vijaya Khader*, Former Dean and Acharya NG Ranga

Agricultural University, Hyderabad, India

*Corresponding Author: Vijaya Khader, Agricultural University, Hyderabad, India.

Received: March 09, 2018; Published: May 21, 2018

Citation: Vijaya Khader. “Fisher Women Participation in Post-Harvest Sector-Health and Nutritional Status of Preschool Children in Coastal Fishing Villages of South India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu)”. Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 2.6 (2018).

Abstract

  Based on the understanding from the field research, it is clear that there is a need to improve the general situation of women on a long-term basis. But as a priority, interventions in creating awareness among women on food, health, sanitation and child care, to educate women formally as well as informally in improvement of the quality of the product. Effort is to be made to have trained female extension workers. Women friendly technologies need to tested, evaluated and proper techno economic reports prepared to facilitate their use through entrepreneurship development programs. Intake of cereal by the preschool children in the surveyed southern Indian states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil-Nadu) was found to be 136 gm/ C.U., and pulse intake was 10 gm/C.U. Protein, iron, calcium and B-complex vitamin intakes were low while that of vitamin A was above requirement values. It was observed their foods were of plant source whose nutrients bioavailability is poor. Therefore, application of improved food process ing and storage techniques, dietary diversification and fortification with intensified nutrition education would reduce malnutrition in the area. The consumption of vegetables, fruits was also found to be low. Milk consumption was fairly low among the preschool children & fish consumption was found to be 34 gm/CU. The intake of nutrients in case of preschool children was found to be less than the Recommended Dietary allowances (RDA). It was observed that macro nutrient intake was better when compared to the micro nutrient intake. Anthropometric measurements revealed that overall height of the preschool children surveyed was found to be 90 cm and their overall weight was 12.7 Kg. Majority (41%) of them were in grade-1 malnutrition, 32 % were in normal, 19% were in grade -11 malnutrition and the remaining were in grade -111 category of malnutrition. All the children are shorter and lower in weight than the standards. Preschool children of Tamil Nadu are taller and heavier than other states. Kerala children were shortest, Andhra Pradesh children were with lowest mean weights (P < 0.001) 31% of preschool children were anemic. The other clinical symptoms like angular stomatitis, Cheilosis and dryness of skin were 35% on an average. The reason for high anemic might be due to low consumption of iron rich foods, poor health, hygiene and sanitation. Also, might be due to lack of nutritional awareness.

Keywords: Fisher Women; Post-Harvest Sector; Health; Nutritional Status; Pre School Children; Food Intake; Nutrient Intake and Clinical Observation

Copyright: © 2018 Vijaya Khader., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.