P184 - ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY DIVERSITY IN DIFFERENT SOCIO-ECONOMIC POPULATION GROUPS OF WOMEN AGED 15–49 YEARS IN SITAPUR, UTTAR PRADESH

P184

ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY DIVERSITY IN DIFFERENT SOCIO-ECONOMIC POPULATION GROUPS OF WOMEN AGED 15–49 YEARS IN SITAPUR, UTTAR PRADESH

R. Singh^1,*

¹Community Nutrition, Nutrition Punch, Lucknow, India

Rationale: Dietary diversity is a key indicator of micronutrient adequacy and overall nutritional status, particularly for women of reproductive age. In rural areas like Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, socio-economic disparities can significantly influence access to a variety of foods, impacting women’s dietary patterns and nutritional outcomes. This study aimed to assess dietary diversity among women aged 15–49 years across different socio-economic groups to inform community-based nutritional strategies.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 women from various socio-economic backgrounds in the Sitapur district. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling. Data on dietary intake were collected using the FAO's standardized 24-hour dietary recall tool, and dietary diversity was assessed using the Women's Dietary Diversity Score (WDDS) based on consumption from 10 food groups. Socio-economic status was classified using a modified Kuppuswamy scale. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and chi-square tests to examine associations between dietary diversity and socio-economic status

Results: Women from higher socio-economic groups had significantly higher dietary diversity scores (mean WDDS = 6.4) compared to those from lower groups (mean WDDS = 3.2) (p < 0.01). Consumption of nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, dairy, and animal-source foods was markedly lower among women from lower socio-economic strata.

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Conclusion: Dietary diversity among women in Sitapur varies significantly with socio-economic status. These findings underscore the need for targeted nutritional interventions and policy measures to improve food access and diversity among economically disadvantaged women in rural Uttar Pradesh.

Disclosure of Interest: R. Singh Other: No Conflicts of Interes