Nutrient intake and anthropometric profile of healthy adult men and women couples from selected households in west sea coast belt of south Karnataka - a comparative study

Health is a relative expression of metabolic efficiency, and is a valued state of existence in individuals especially during adulthood. Food intake is directly associated with the health and wellbeing of a person.\ud Background: Co existence of under nutrition and obesity is a matter of major concern.\ud Objective: It was proposed to develop data base about the mean nutrient intake, its difference among genders, and anthropometric profile of adult population and association between BMI and WHR.\ud Methodology: Demographic data, nutrient intake (diary technique), energy expenditure (WHO method) and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, MUAC, waist and hip circumferences) were obtained using standard procedures. 70 couples aged 45-54 yrs who were free from degenerative disease from different socioeconomic classes (SEC) of Karkala and Moodbidri Taluks formed the subjects.\ud Results: All the participant were educated, regarding occupation, 41% men had business and 58% women were homemakers others had varied kind of jobs. 51% couples were non vegetarians. Mean nutrient (Energy) intakes of male and females partners respectively are: 1916.0 ± 368.470 and 1745.0 ± 560.764 kcals; 50.3 ± 8.170 and 51.27 ± 24.569 g protein, 32.4 ± 5.997 and 56.91 ± 20.946 g fat; Compared to RDA, intake of all nutrients except fat and calcium was markedly low. Both men and women had normal BMI however WHR was higher indicating central obesity (1.08 ± 0.14 and 1.08 ± 0.13); MUAC was 29.05 ± 6.29 and 24.74 ± 9.28 cms for males and females respectively.\ud Conclusion: Central obesity was observed among both the adult group although they had normal BMI