NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND FOOD CONSUMPTION OF WORKING POPULATION OF DHARAN, NEPAL

Abstract

Poor nutritional status due to improper intake is becoming one of the major public health problems in developing countries like Nepal. A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and food consumption of working population of Dharan municipality. Anthropometric measurement was used to determine Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference and Waist Hip Ratio. Data on socio-demographic, dietary and behavioral factors was collected using structured questionnaire. Microsoft excel and SPSS version 20 were used to analyze data and chi square test was performed to analyze the factors associated with BMI, WC and WHR cut-offs. According to the result from the study, the percentage of people consuming pulses regularly were 80.5%, green leafy vegetables consuming were 34.5%, dairy consuming were 25.5%, fruits consuming were 19.5%, salads consuming were 17.5%, red meat consuming were 20.5%, tea consuming were 72.5%. This shows poor eating pattern of the study populations. The result revealed that 31.5% were underweight and 28% were overweight according to BMI. According to waist circumference and waist hip ratio, 34.5% and 65% were obese respectively. The factors like Marital status, occupation, eating time, preferences, watching TV/mobile, no. of children, calorie and protein intake, other vegetables, salads and red meat consumption were associated with BMI whereas the factors like Marital status, occupation, gender, age, watching TV/mobile, water intake, carbohydrates and fat intake, pulses, white meat, tea/coffee and fruits consumption were associated with waist hip ratio and occupation, gender, sleep, water intake, fruits, white meat, cold drinks consumption, carbohydrates and fat intake were associated with waist circumference. Therefore, we can say that poor eating pattern results in poor nutritional status of the populations.