Food Consumption Practices of Men and Women across Rural-Urban Interface of South Indian Megacity Bangalore

Background: Food consumption practices involving dietary diversity, healthy and unhealthy practices have greater influence on nutritional and health status of the individual. Men and women always behave differently and have different consumption pattern due to various factors. Urbanization gradients along rural-urban interface of Bangalore mega city helps for comparative study of these factors.

Aims: To compare food consumption practices between men and women across rural-urban interface of Bangalore, India.

Methodology: Men (n=150) and women (n=150) from 300 middle income households in the rural-urban interface of Bangalore, were surveyed for dietary diversity score (DDS), healthy and unhealthy dietary practices and response to questions on health and nutrition.

Results: Findings revealed that, least DDS was recorded in transition area among both men (48.0%) and women (47.7%). In rural maximum difference for healthy habit score was existed between men (50.8%) and women (44.0%). Average unhealthy habits score was more among women in rural (33.2%) and transition (35.4%) areas, whereas in urban, men had higher score (41.8%). Health and nutrition aspects indicated, fasting on religious belief was more practiced by women in transition area (56%). Consumption of health supplements was more among women, especially in urban (34%).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that, women have poor food consumption practices compared to men. Even though women are observed to be more health conscious than men, their dietary habits are compounded with various factors such as socio-cultural, occupational and urbanization. In this regard nutrition programmes must be strengthened to decrease risk factors for non-communicable diseases and to improve overall health of the individuals.