Abstract:
This study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional health status of rural women engaged
in agriculture in three villages in Babati District, Manyara Region in Tanzania. A cross
section research design using structured questionnaire was employed to collect primary
and secondary data of 180 respondents. The weight and height were measured using a
digital weighing scale (SECA Vogel and Halke Hamburg Germany) and a locally made
device equipped with height gauges respectively. BMI was calculated using the formula:
BMI= [Weight/ Height2 (kg/m. Descriptive analysis of data was carried out using SPSS
Windows Version 16.0.
The results revealed that more than half (57.2%) of the
respondents had normal body weight (BMI=18.5-24.9) of which 68.9% were males and
45.6% were females. Further, it was revealed that the average female measured the body
height of 161 cm, body weight of 64.3 kg and BMI was 24.6 which is almost similar to the
mean (23.5) BMI for males. The study also showed that women spent more
time (five to seven hours) in the field.
Moreover, the results revealed that
majority (82.2%) of females respondents participated in all agricultural activities.
However, statistical Chi-square test ( x 2 = 26 . 68 , df = 23 and p = 0 . 256 ) showed that
there was no significant difference in BMI between male and female farmers. It was
further revealed that the type of meal, frequency of meal, and food distribution within
members in the household favoured respondents’ BMI.
responsibilities increased women’s workload.
However, household
The study concludes that agricultural
production is not negatively affecting women farmer’s BMI. The study also recommends
that women must be empowered by enhancing their awareness, knowledge, skills and
appropriate technology so that agriculture production increases at a faster pace. Also,
linking production goals with nutrition-related targets is something that agricultural
planners and researchers are to be called upon to do more often.
