To Assess the Knowledge of Young Adult Women Regarding Basic Nutrition belonging to Low Socio Economic Group of Indore City

The health of women differs from that of men in many unique ways and is referred to as Women‘s health. Women‘s health is an example of population health, where health is defined by the World Health Organization as ―a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity‖. Often treated simply as women‘s reproductive health, many groups argue for a broader definition pertaining to the overall health of women. These differences are further worsened in developing countries where women are further disadvantaged. Although women in industrialized countries have narrowed the gender gap in life expectancy and now live longer than men, in many areas of health, they experience earlier and more severe disease with poorer outcomes. Gender remains an important social determinant of health, since women‘s health is influenced not just by their biology but also by conditions such as poverty, employment and family responsibilities. Women have long been disadvantaged in many respects such as social and economic power which restricts their access to the necessities of life including health care, and the greater the level of disadvantage, such as in developing countries, the greater adverse impact on health. Women‘s health is so important because, Women represent the cornerstone of a family‘s overall health, ensuring they have access to quality care also can lead to improved health for children and families. It is necessary to have nutrition knowledge to the women in the family, so that all members should get nurtured by them.

Young adult women of age 19-23 years.

about basic nutrition is represented from the table below.

Source Of Iron 18 93 9 15% 78% 8% Nutrient in Salt 27 54 39 23% 45% 33% Calcium in Milk 12 76 32 10 63 27 Nutrient in Sprouts 30 27 63 25 23 53

Nutrient in Wheat Bran

10 80 30 8 67 25

Nutrient in Rice Maand 10 43 67 8 36 56 Nutrient Loss in Washing Vegetables

5 100 15 4 83 13

Nutrient Loss in Cooking without Lid

15 93 12 13 78 10

Protein Rich Foods 7 59 54 6 49 45 Foods Main Function of Protein 2 77 41 2 64 34 Role of Fats in Weight Gain

40 20 60 33 17 50

Role of Nutrition in Fatigue

35 45 40 29 38 33

Cause of Night Blindness

0 3 117 0 2 98

Causes of Anemia 14 89 17 12 74 14 Functions of Calcium 11 61 48 9 51 40 Nutrient and Skin Health

9 86 25 8 72 21

Cause of Mouth Ulcer 0 81 39 0 68 33 Role of Fibers in Digestion 23 72 25 19 60 21 From the above table, it is clearly seen that knowledge about basic nutrition of women regarding Source of Iron the obtained correctanswer was (15%) incorrect answer (78%) and don‘t know was (8%),knowledge about the Nutrient in Salt was correct (23%), incorrect (45%), don‘t know (33%)knowledge regarding Calcium in Milk was correct (10%) incorrect(63%) don‘t know (27%),Nutrient in Sprouts was correct(25%) incorrect(23%)don‘t know (53%), Nutrient in Wheat Bran was correct(8%) incorrect(67%), don‘t know(25%), Nutrient in Rice Maand wascorrect(8%) incorrect (36%)and don‘t know (56%), Nutrient Loss in Washing Vegetables was correct (4%)incorrect Protein Rich Foods was correct (6%) incorrect (49%) and don‘t know (45%) , knowledge aboutCarbohydrate Rich Foods was correct (8%), incorrect (54%) ,and don‘t know(38%), knowledge regarding Main Functions of Protein wascorrect (2%), incorrect (64%),don‘t know(34%), about Role of Fats in Weight Gain wascorrectt(33%), incorrect (17%), don‘t know(50%), aboutRole of Nutrition in Fatigue was correct (29%), incorrect (38%), don‘t know (33%), aboutCause of Night Blindness was correct (0), incorrect(2%), don‘t know (98%). Knowledge regarding Causes of Anemia wascorrect (12%), incorrect (74%), don‘t know (14%), about Functions of Calcium wascorrect(9%), incorrect (51%), don‘t know (40%), aboutNutrient and Skin Health was correct(8%), incorrect(72%), don‘tknow (21%) about Cause of Mouth Ulcer was correct (0), incorrect (68%), don‘tknow(33%), knowledge aboutRole of Fibers in Digestion was correct (19%), incorrect (60%), don‘t know (21%) respectively.

Women are the backbone of the family‘s as well as society‘s health. Because in most of the Indian families women purchases and cooks food for everyone. Knowledge regarding basic nutrition among the women may help to improve their nutritional health as well as health of the family members and society. From the above collected information it is clear that young adult women of the studied group has poor knowledge about basic nutrition which may affects their health as well as the health of society. So a systematic nutrition education should be provided to them which would help them to gain nutrition knowledge. Good nutrition knowledge may help them to understand the need and importance of particular nutrient with portion control.

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Research Scholar, Shri Krishna University, Chhatarpur M.P.