Food intake and work allocation of male and female farmers in an impoverished Indian village.

Abstract

1. The energy balance and activity allocation of eight male and eight female Indian farmers were measured for 4 d during 10 months in both the dry and wet seasons of 1983. 2. All food prepared and eaten was weighed and nutrient values were calculated from food composition tables. 3. Average energy costs per unit mass for fifteen tasks were estimated from data obtained using a Kofranyi-Michaelis respirometer. Each subject was observed from 05.00 to 20.00 hours and activities were recorded for each minute. The remaining activity was determined by recall. 4. Activity allocation was categorized qualitatively into time spent on economically productive work, free time and body maintenance. 5. The mean weight for male subjects was 48.2 kg; the average female weight was only 36.9 kg. The mean height for male and female subjects was 1.61 m and 1.49 m respectively. 6. For male subjects, the daily mean energy intake of 9.81 MJ (2350 kcal) was close to the calculated energy output of 9.54 MJ (2285 kcal). 7. The women's calculated daily expenditure of 8.22 MJ (1968 kcal) was slightly higher than their mean energy intake of 7.73 MJ (1852 kcal). 8. Although intake and output varied in relation to sex, weight and wealth the mean intake per kg body mass was equal for both males and females at 210 kJ (50 kcal) per kg. This is close to the minimum requirement for active Third World farmers. 9. The women spent significantly more time on economically productive work activities than the men (11.1 v. 8.1 h/d). Although female energy intake was 27% less than males, their productive work time was 27% higher.