Sanjit SARKAR*1
* Corresponding author
1 International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, INDIA
E-mail: sanjitiips@gmail.com
Pages: 85-94. URL: https://geografie.ubbcluj.ro/ccau/jssp/arhiva_2_2015/02JSSP022015.pdf
Cite: Sarkar S. (2015), Consumption Pattern and Determinants of Nutritional Intake among Rural Households of West Bengal, India. Journal of Settlements and Spatial Planning, 6(2), 85-94. URL: https://geografie.ubbcluj.ro/ccau/jssp/arhiva_2_2015/02JSSP022015.pdf
Abstract. Adequate intake of nutrition is essential for growth, development and a healthy life. Hence, this study sought to understand the nutrition consumption pattern and their determinants in the case of rural households of West Bengal. The data of a cross-sectional sample survey, involving 485 households from rural West Bengal of India, were analysed. The study collected information regarding household’s consumption quantity of various food items for thirty days of period, which were used to calculate the three specific nutrition i.e. calorie, protein and fat. Nutritional intake per capita was estimated based on adult male equivalent norms or consumer unit norms. Bivariate and multi-variate analyses were applied in this study. Against the average calorie, protein and fat consumptions of 2,642 kcal, 66.6 gms and 27.8 gms per capita per day, the Muslim households and ST households proved the most deprived in case of all three nutrients. Per capita calorie and protein consumptions are found higher in case of female headed households but fat consumption is higher in case of male headed households. The level of nutritional intake is much lower in case of the agricultural labour households and landless households. Multiple linear regression model shows that household size (p<0.10), availability of livestock (p<0.10), and source of income (p<0.10) are significantly associated with the level of nutritional intake. The lack of resources makes the households deprive in nutritional consumption. Thus, access and proper management of physical, human and economic capitals may improve nutritional intake in the households.
K e y w o r d s: nutrition, calorie, protein, fat, determinants, consumption