Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Socio-economic vulnerability assessment of female children to malnutrition in rural Baramulla district of Kashmir Himalayas, India

  • Published:
GeoJournal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to examine the socio-economic vulnerability of the female children (0–12 years) to malnutrition in the rural Baramulla district of Kashmir Himalayas, India. Thirty-six rural villages were selected by stratified sampling method and about three hundred seventy-five female children were assessed for anthropometric measurements using schedule and multi-structured questionnaires prepared and pre-tested. Only those households which had at least one female child in the house (0–12 years) were included in the study. The study revealed that the socio-economic factors like family income, mother’s education, father’s education and number of children in the family depict high level of significant association to the vulnerability of malnutrition among female children in the study area. However, age of the female children inferred insignificant association in this case. In the high altitudinal and backward environment of the study area, people mostly live the life of poverty, conservatism, ignorance and orthodoxy against females and thus in these families, females are ignored and became vulnerable to various sufferings. Majority of the population in the study area have a less awareness, low level of education, patriarchal family form and are restricted to the beliefs which they were following from very beginning. Female children are still being considered as a suppressed and unsophisticated creation and are often neglected in their access to nutrition, health care and education. It is concluded that the improvement in this scenario can be brought by creating general awareness through mass media about the positive aspects of the female children in the study area and this will play a pivotal role in preventing and reducing the malnutrition disease burden in the study area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abidoye, R. O., & Randle, O. (1991). Comparative nutritional assessment of children in Military and Private Schools in Nigeria. Nutritional Research,11(9), 989–999.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aggarwal, S. K. (1986). Geo-ecology of malnutrition: A study of the Haryana children. New Delhi: Inter- India Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agnihotri, R. C. (1995). Geomedical environment and health care: A study of Bundelkhand region. Jaipur: Rawat Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Agrahar, M. D., & Pal, P. P. (2005). Food consumption pattern of the tribal of Meghalaya and its relation with socio-economic factors. Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics,42(2), 71–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akhtar, R. (1971). A note on the nutritional geography of Karimganj village. National Geographical Journal of India,17(1), 207–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akhtar, R. (1980). Environment, agriculture and nutrition in Kumaon region (pp. 69–149). New Delhi: Marwah Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akhtar, R. (Ed.). (2016). Climate change and human health scenario in South and Southeast Asia. Springer: Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akhtar, R., & Khan, A. Q. (2011). Environment, nutrition and health: A case study of rural areas of Poonch District of Jammu & Kashmir State. In Nilofar Izhar (Ed.), Geography and health: A study in medical geography (pp. 61–69). New-Delhi: APH Publishing Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bain, L. E., Awah, P. K., Geraldine, N., Kindong, N. P., Siga, Y., Bernard, N., & Tanjeko, A. T. (2013). Malnutrition in Sub–Saharan Africa: Burden, causes and prospects. Pan African Medical Journal, 15(1), 2013–2035.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bairagi, R. (1980). Is income the only constraint on child nutrition in rural Bangladesh?. Bulletin of the World Health Organization,58(5), 767.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borooah, V. K. (2004). Gender bias among children in India in their diet and immunisation against disease. Social Science and Medicine,58(9), 1719–1731.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, L. C., Huq, E., & d’Souza, S. (1981). Sex bias in the family allocation of food and health care in rural Bangladesh. Population and Development Review, 7(1), 55–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choudhury, K. K., Hanifi, M. A., Rasheed, S., & Bhuiya, A. (2000). Gender inequality and severe malnutrition among children in a remote rural area of Bangladesh. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 18(3), 123–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Das, L., et al. (2000). Anthropometric parameters for the assessment of nutritional status in (0–6) years children in Varanasi. Man in India,80(3–4), 345–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dew, K., Scott, A., & Kirkman, A. (2016). Social, political and cultural dimensions of health. Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freud, P. J. (1990). Child health and nutrition in Zambia. In R. Akhtar & Y. Verhasselt (Eds.), Disease ecology and health: Readings in medical geography (pp. 145–153). Jaipur: Rawat Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frost, M. B., Forste, R., & Haas, D. W. (2005). Maternal education and child nutritional status in Bolivia: Finding the links. Social Science and Medicine,60(2), 395–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganatra, B., & Hirve, S. (1994). Male bias in health care utilization for under-fives in a rural community in western India. Bulletin of the World Health Organization,72(1), 101–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganguli, S.S., & Achar, O.P. (1990). Polytomous logistic regression approach for modelling risk factors of malnutrition among preschool children. Statistics in Health And Nutrition, Hyderabad: NIN, 162-7.

  • Garrett, J. L., & Ruel, M. T. (1999). Are determinants of rural and urban food security and nutritional status different? Some insights from Mozambique. World Development,27(11), 1955–1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghosh, S. (1989). Constraints to improved child feeding. In: 14th International congress, Seoul, Korea (pp. 187–227).

  • Goodburn, C. (2014). Rural–urban migration and gender disparities in child healthcare in China and India. Development and Change,45(4), 631–655.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gopalan, C. (1989). The role of women in a new health order. In C. Gopalan (Ed.), Nutrition, health and national development (Vol. Special publication series 4, pp. 115–135). New Delhi: NFI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gopalan, C. (2005). Linear growth as an index of nutritional status. New Delhi: Nutrition Foundation of India Bulletin,26(2), 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hota, B. B. (1995). National family health survey, 1993, Orissa. Bombay: PRC, Bhubaneswar and HPS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inamdar, M., Inamdar, S., & Sachdeva, N. L. (2011). Health status of rural girls. Nat J Com Med,2(3), 388–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ja, B. (1972). Family characteristics and nutrition problems of pre-school children in Fond Parisien Haiti. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics and Environmental Child Health,18(13), 229–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jelliffe, D.B. (1966). The assessment of the nutritional status of the community. Geneva Switzerland World Health Organization 1966.(World Health Organization Monograph Series No. 53), p. 271.

  • Khan, Y., & Khan, N. (2012). Nutritional status of children (0-24 months) in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh region. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications,6(2), 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, K. (1995). Mountain and people: A people’s perspective from the Indian Himalayas. Draft paper presented at the NGO Consultations on Sustainable Mountain Development, Lima-Peru.

  • Kumari, K. (2005). Health and nutritional status of school going children in Patna. Health and Population Perspectives and Issues,28(1), 17–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lakshmi, U. K., & Padma Priya, T. (2004). Impact of NSS programme on the nutritional status of preschool children. The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics,41(6), 229–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomborg, B. (Ed.). (2013). Global problems, smart solutions: Costs and benefits. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lone, B. A., Lone, S. A., Wani, M. A., & Mayer, I. A. (2018a). Geographical perspective on stunting among rural female children in district Baramulla, Jammu & Kashmir-India. Geo Journal, Springer Nature Netherland, 83(0), 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lone, S. A., Lone, B. A., Wani, M. A., Dar, S. N., & Mayer, I. A. (2017a). Food security and energy intake in South Kashmir (J&K-India)—A Tehsil level Study of District Anantnag. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS),22(7), 43–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lone, S. A., Lone, B. A., Wani, M. A., & Mayer, I. A. (2018b). Geographic analysis of nutrition and related disease of south Kashmir in district Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir, India. Geo Journal, Springer Nature Netherland,83(0), 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lone, S. A., Wani, M. A., Lone, B. A., & Mayer, I. A. (2017b). Spatial pattern of health and health care facilities in District Anantnag of South Kashmir (J&K, India)—A geo medical analysis. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research,7(8), 358–363.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacIntosh, C., Morley, J. E., & Chapman, I. M. (2000). The anorexia of aging. Nutrition,16(10), 983–995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatra, A., et al. (2000). Nutritional status of preschool children in the drought affected Kalahandi district of Orissa. Indian Journal of Medical Research,111(3), 90–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, I. A. (2007). Medical geography. New Delhi: A. P. H. Publishing Corporation, Ansari Road.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, I.A. (2015). Evaluation of diet and nutrition in Kashmir Valley-Kashmir Division. Kashmir Journal of Social Sciences, University of Kashmir, India, 2(2), 12–19.

  • Mayer, I. A., Lone, B. A., Lone, S. A., & Wani, M. A. (2018). Spatiotemporal variability of non-communicable diseases among the residents of North Western Himalayas—A geographical study of Kashmir valley. In E. Yasmin & J. I. Khan (Eds.), Critical reflections and explorations in regional development: Insights from North West India (pp. 271–296). New Delhi: Kalpaz Publications, Satyawati-Nagar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mc Carrison. (1921). Studies on deficiency diseases. Oxford Medical Publication, Medical Sciences Academy,10(1), 13–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishra, R. P. (1985). Nutrition and health in India AD-1950–2000. In R. Akhtar & A. T. A. Learmonth (Eds.), Geographical aspect of health and disease in India. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohammad, A. (1978). Situation of agriculture, food, and nutrition in rural India. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mukuria, A., Cushing, J., & Sangha, J. (2005). Nutritional status of children: Results from the Demographic and Health Surveys 1994–2001.

  • National family health survey (NFHS-3) 2005–2006 [Internet]. Mumbai: International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and Macro International; 2009. Available from: http://www.iipsindia.orgorhttp://www.mohfw.nic.in [cited 2017, December 26].

  • National family health survey (NFHS-4) 2015–2016 [Internet]. Mumbai: International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) and Macro International; 2009. Available from: http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/440396/national-family-health-survey-2015-16-nfhs-4-india-fact-sheet [cited 2017, December 26]

  • Oakley, A. (2015). Sex, gender and society. New Delhi: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pandey, A., Sengupta, P. G., Mondal, S. K., Gupta, D. N., Manna, B., Ghosh, S., et al. (2002). Gender differences in healthcare-seeking during common illnesses in a rural community of West Bengal, India. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition,20(04), 306–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pant, B. R. (1998). Geo-economic environment and nutrition. New Delhi: Anmol Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pant, B.R. (2001). Women and Nutrition in Himalayas, Final Report of the Minor Research Project Publication, submitted to the U.G.C, New Delhi.

  • Rao, R. (2007). End inhuman killings. Indian Currents,19(31), 09–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, H. D., Brahman, G. N. U., Rao, M. K., Reddy, G. C., & Rao, P. (1994). Assessment of nutritional status of Jenu Kurubas: A primitive tribe of Karnataka. The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics,30(3), 66–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rather, G. M. (2017). Risk areas of Mal nutrition among School children (0–14 years) in Gujjars Community of Great Kashmir Himalayas. Journal of Himalayan Ecology and Sustainable Development, University of Kashmir, India,12(1), 113–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rather, G. M., & Fayaz, S. (2014). Nutrition intake & imbalances among children (0–14 years) of Gujjar community in Great Kashmir Himalayan range (J&K State). International Journal of Recent Scientific Research,5(10), 1900–1907.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rather, G. M., & Fayaz, S. (2015). Malnutrition among school children (0–14 years) of Gujjars of Great Kashmir Himalayan Range (J&K State). International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications,5(3), 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ray, S. K., et al. (2000). Rapid assessment of nutritional status and dietary pattern in a municipal area. Indian Journal of Community Medicine,25(1), 14–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A., & Sengupta, S. (1983). Malnutrition of rural children and the sex bias. Economic and Political Weekly,18(19–21), 855–864.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shafi, M. (1967). Food production efficiency and nutrition in India. The Geographer,14(1), 21–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siddiqui, M. F. (1971). Concentration of deficiency diseases in Utter Pradesh. The Geographer,18(2), 90–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stamp, L.D. (1961). Our developing world, p. 195.

  • Tandon, B. N., et al. (1972). Nutritional survey in rural population of Kumaon Hill area, North India. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,25(4), 432–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varma, M., et al. (2011). Child nutrition-problems and prospectus (pp. 137–148). Jaipur: Ina Shree Pub.

    Google Scholar 

  • Victora, C. G., Huttly, S. R., Fuchs, S. C., & Olinto, M. T. (1997). The role of conceptual frameworks in epidemiological analysis: A hierarchical approach. International Journal of Epidemiology,26(1), 224–227.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorster, H.H., Oosthuizen, W., Jerling, J.C., Veldman, F.J., & Burger, H.M. (1975). The nutritional status of South Africans. A review of the literature from 1975–1996, 1–22.

  • Zargar, A. H., et al. (1996). Prevalence of Goitre and Iodine Deficiency in School Children in Anantnag (Kashmir Valley). Annals of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India),32(2), 97–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Learnmonth, A. T. A. (1961). Medical geography of India and Pakistan. The Geographical Journal, 127, 10–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Choubey, K. (1971). Diseases of Sagar City in the light of environmental and nutritional deficiency factors: A case study in medical Geography. Geographical Review of India, 33(2), 88–100.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography and Regional Development, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K, 190006, India

    Bashir Ahmad Lone, Sheraz Ahmad Lone & Ishtiaq Ahmad Mayer

Authors
  1. Bashir Ahmad Lone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sheraz Ahmad Lone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ishtiaq Ahmad Mayer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bashir Ahmad Lone.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lone, B.A., Lone, S.A. & Mayer, I.A. Socio-economic vulnerability assessment of female children to malnutrition in rural Baramulla district of Kashmir Himalayas, India. GeoJournal 85, 535–549 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-019-09980-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-019-09980-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation