Analysis of nutrient intake and health status of the adolescent girls and adult females of rural areas in darjeeling district

Present study was conducted on the rural females with the objective to assess their diet pattern, nutrient intake, nutrient deficiency, energy deficiency levels followed by recommendations for nutritional improvement. A household survey was conducted by questionnaire method on 400 rural poor families of Phansidewa block under Darjeeling district of West Bengal state to measure the various attributes related to the dietary intake. The average nutrient intake of the females is much less than the Recommended Dietary Allowances. The energy deficiency is highest in non-pregnant group. Females having serious levels of deficits in protein, calcium, iron, carotene and riboflavin consumption. Rural females are worse sufferers of protein, energy, mineral and vitamin deficiencies.