Several research and evaluation studies conducted in the country reported that a
multi-pronged approach including increased traditional food production, its equitable distribution and nutrition intervention and nutrition education need to be
considered as the most important focal points. Micronutrients are the nutrients
which are needed for the body in minute quantities for growth, development and
maintenance. Malnutrition is a condition resulting from the deficiency or excess
intake of calories and one or more nutrients among vulnerable groups in India.
Micronutrient and malnutrition are the terms commonly used to refer to vitamin and
mineral nutritional deficiency diseases. However, malnutrition lowers resistance to
diseases, resulting in morbidity, apathy, lethargy and reduction of working efficiency. These lead to low income, low standard of living, poverty and infection
among vulnerable groups. The experience of past two decades indicated that there
is an improvement in the nutritional status of the population in developing societies
which is mainly because of eradication of poverty, application of measures to
overcome socio-economic disabilities. Although there is an improvement in the
nutritional status and the micronutrient rich foods may be both available and
consumed, often they are not consumed in sufficient quantities to prevent deficiencies and they may not be consumed by all vulnerable groups. Further, education
and information for behavioural changes in the eating habits are being increasingly
recognized as the key of interventions in the improvement of health and nutrition.
However, functional illiteracy, lack of infrastructure, and expensive technologies
often mean that efforts in healthy and nutritional communication at the community
level are minimal, difficult and disappointing. Hence, there is need for food
security.
2.3 Food Security, Nutritional Problems and Traditional
Health Foods for Pregnant Women
The magnitude and implications of the nutritional problems in pregnant women call
for urgent actions through corporate social responsibility in community development. Several research and evaluation studies conducted in the country reported that
a multi-pronged approach including increased traditional food production, its
equitable distribution, and nutrition intervention and nutrition education with
respect to pregnant women need to be considered as the most important focal
points. Micronutrients are the nutrients, which are needed for pregnant women in
minute quantities for growth, development and maintenance. Malnutrition is a
condition resulting from the deficiency or excess intake of calories and one or more
nutrients among pregnant women in India. Micronutrient and malnutrition are the
terms commonly used to refer to vitamin and mineral nutritional deficiency diseases
in pregnant women. However, malnutrition lowers resistance to diseases, resulting
in morbidity, apathy, lethargy and reduction of working efficiency among
554
B.N. Lakshmi and T.S. Indumathi
multi-pronged approach including increased traditional food production, its equitable distribution and nutrition intervention and nutrition education need to be
considered as the most important focal points. Micronutrients are the nutrients
which are needed for the body in minute quantities for growth, development and
maintenance. Malnutrition is a condition resulting from the deficiency or excess
intake of calories and one or more nutrients among vulnerable groups in India.
Micronutrient and malnutrition are the terms commonly used to refer to vitamin and
mineral nutritional deficiency diseases. However, malnutrition lowers resistance to
diseases, resulting in morbidity, apathy, lethargy and reduction of working efficiency. These lead to low income, low standard of living, poverty and infection
among vulnerable groups. The experience of past two decades indicated that there
is an improvement in the nutritional status of the population in developing societies
which is mainly because of eradication of poverty, application of measures to
overcome socio-economic disabilities. Although there is an improvement in the
nutritional status and the micronutrient rich foods may be both available and
consumed, often they are not consumed in sufficient quantities to prevent deficiencies and they may not be consumed by all vulnerable groups. Further, education
and information for behavioural changes in the eating habits are being increasingly
recognized as the key of interventions in the improvement of health and nutrition.
However, functional illiteracy, lack of infrastructure, and expensive technologies
often mean that efforts in healthy and nutritional communication at the community
level are minimal, difficult and disappointing. Hence, there is need for food
security.
2.3 Food Security, Nutritional Problems and Traditional
Health Foods for Pregnant Women
The magnitude and implications of the nutritional problems in pregnant women call
for urgent actions through corporate social responsibility in community development. Several research and evaluation studies conducted in the country reported that
a multi-pronged approach including increased traditional food production, its
equitable distribution, and nutrition intervention and nutrition education with
respect to pregnant women need to be considered as the most important focal
points. Micronutrients are the nutrients, which are needed for pregnant women in
minute quantities for growth, development and maintenance. Malnutrition is a
condition resulting from the deficiency or excess intake of calories and one or more
nutrients among pregnant women in India. Micronutrient and malnutrition are the
terms commonly used to refer to vitamin and mineral nutritional deficiency diseases
in pregnant women. However, malnutrition lowers resistance to diseases, resulting
in morbidity, apathy, lethargy and reduction of working efficiency among
554
B.N. Lakshmi and T.S. Indumathi