Prevalence of malnutrition among women and adolescent girls: impact of urbanization in rural–urban interface of Bangalore

PurposeIndia is facing a double burden of malnutrition, i.e. undernutrition and obesity. Women and adolescent health and nutrition are very relevant issues which have not received much attention it deserves in India, especially in the context of a girl child. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess malnutrition among women and adolescent girls as well as the associated factors.Design/methodology/approachAn attempt was made to assess malnutrition among women and adolescent girls and associated factors. The required data was collected from the north (616) and south transects (659) sample households of Bangalore constituting a total sample size of 1,275. The data was analyzed by adopting multiple linear regression and multinomial logistic regression analysis using STATA software.FindingsThe effects of this study simply confirmed that, urbanization had an instantaneous effect on dietary repute of women and adolescent girls, while transferring throughout the gradient from rural to urban with the growing significance of weight problems and obese. In adolescent girls, about 31% were underweight followed by normal weight and overweight across rural–urban interface of Bangalore. The factors such as education, consumption of meat and animal products, a dummy for urban, diabetes and blood pressure were significantly and positively influencing the nutritional status (Body Mass Index) of women across rural–urban interface. While consumption of vegetables, wealth index and per capita income had a positive and significant influence on the nutritional status of adolescent girls.Originality/valueWith limited studies and data available in Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru, one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Against this backdrop, the study was conducted to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among women and adolescents and its association with various socio-economic variables.</jats:sec

Development of optimum crop plan through area allocation, income distribution and employment in case of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) using linear programming technique

The present study is an attempt to assess the ragi (Eleusine coracana L.) production system with special reference to allocation of area, income distribution and employment in Tumakuru and Hassan districts of Karnataka. Farm survey method was used to collect data in order to develop linear programming representative farm models. The analysis takes into account crop activities, inputs used, farm size, etc. Out of total area allocation, the major area was allocated to maize (37.06%) followed by ragi (28.93%). The negative net returns from ragi (Rs 1342) was attributed to higher cost of cultivation and low crop yield coupled with low market price. The optimum crop plan per farm in the study area under rainfed situation indicated that, optimum allocation of the land, labour and variable capital among ragi, maize and redgram would yield net returns of Rs 13442. The net returns under irrigated crop plan was three fold higher than the rainfed crop plan because of effective contribution of groundwater for increased productivity of commercial crops namely potato and maize. Ragi is best suited crop under the emerging climate change, groundwater exploitation and food scarcity issues. Therefore, there is a need to increase incentives which in turn helps the farmers to grow more ragi and enhances the farm income of farmers.</jats:p