Empowerment of women’s and its influence on child nutritional outcomes in Rajkot district of Gujarat state
Women empowerment and child nutritional
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21921/jas.v11i02.15198Keywords:
Nutrition, Malnutrition, Child health, StuntingAbstract
Women’s empowerment involving power, control, and decision-making, is crucial for the well-being of communities. This study examines the socio-economic profiles of rural families, the empowerment levels of women, and the nutritional status of their children in Dhoraji, Gujarat. Involving 60 women with children aged 6-60 months, the research highlights significant findings. Most women lived in joint families and had a normal BMI. Nutritional assessments revealed issues of stunting and underweight in children, with women's empowerment levels linked to better child health outcomes. In Patanvav and Nani Parabadi, 78% of mothers lived in joint families, and 63% had a monthly income of Rs. 5000-9999. While 83% of children had normal weight-for-height, 17% were moderately to severely undernourished, and 60% were stunted. Among mothers, 63% had a normal BMI, highlighting the nutritional challenges faced. The study highlights significant nutritional challenges necessitating targeted interventions to improve child and maternal health in these villages.
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