Levels and Determinants of Women’s Health and Nutrition in Haryana, India.

Women’s nutrition and health status is central to the quality of their lives and it is the key determinant for the survival of future generations to come. Women are also the main providers of informal health care to other members of the household in developing countries. It is generally argued that economic growth and prosperity brings means of health care and nutrition within the reach of all sections of society. Haryana is one such state in the country which has attained distinction in food grains production and is ranked among top states in terms of availability of infrastructure. Through this paper, attempt has been made to study the women’s nutrition and health status in Haryana. The paper is based on primary data obtained from 16 villages spread over 8 districts in Haryana which represent 4 distinct groups in terms of similarities and differences in various health and demographic parameters. Nutritional status of women has been studied by their body mass index (BMI), while health status has been studied in preventive and curative care. Preventive care is ante-natal care during child bearing stages and institutional or safe deliveries and curative care is measured as visit to doctor in case of any ailment. Determinants of women’s nutrition have been discussed with reference to socio economic characteristics of households.