Gender gap on the plate: Telangana women lag men in protein-rich foods | Hyderabad News

Women face major gaps in protein intake compared to men (AI image)

HYDERABAD: For many women in Telangana, preparing nutritious meals for the family does not necessarily mean getting the same nutrition on their own plates. While they shoulder the responsibility of cooking and ensuring that family members are well fed, their own nutritional needs often take a backseat. A new analysis suggests that this disparity is particularly pronounced when it comes to the consumption of protein-rich foods.

Women’s cooking practices often prioritize family preferences over their nutritional needs

Telangana has the widest gender gap among states in the consumption of protein-rich foods, with a significantly higher proportion of men than women consuming a diverse range of such foods, according to an analysis by SBI Research. As many as 91.75% of men in the state consumed three to four selected categories of protein-rich foods, compared with just 61.49% of women. At 30.26 percentage points, the gap was the highest among all states analysed.Odisha recorded the second-highest gender gap at 22.75 percentage points, with 70.55% of men and 47.8% of women consuming three to four categories of protein-rich foods. Chhattisgarh followed with a gap of 15.25 percentage points, while Punjab recorded a difference of 11.17 percentage points.The SBI Research analysis, based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24, examined spending on selected protein-rich foods. Telangana households spent an average of ₹959 on these categories, against ₹979 in Andhra Pradesh and ₹923 in Tamil Nadu. Spending was higher in Sikkim (₹1,776), Goa (₹1,711) and Haryana (₹1,649).Gender differences also emerged in consumption patterns recorded by the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5). While 86.2% of women in Telangana consumed milk or curd daily or weekly, the share among men was 91.3%. Egg consumption stood at 76.7% among women and 80.2% among men. The gap was wider for fish. Only 18.6% of women consumed it daily or weekly, against 32.7% of men. The figures point to differences in food consumption patterns. Women’s rights activist A Suneetha said women often prioritised their families’ food needs, while their own nutrition received little attention. Women generally cooked to suit male family members’ tastes, she said.“It is unfortunate that women who want to take care of themselves are seen as less womanly. This needs to change,” she said.Govt nutrition programmes, including Anganwadi services, largely focused on pregnant women, Suneetha added.The disparity also reflects differences in food choices and access to protein, said Avula Laxmaiah, former deputy director of the NIN. Men often ate animal-protein-rich food outside the home, while women avoiding non-vegetarian food needed protein from pulses and milk, he said.Laxmaiah said US dietary guidelines recommend 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kg of body weight daily. The World Health Organization and NIN recommend about 0.8 grams per kg, based on Indian food habits and reference body weights.Inadequate protein can cause more than hunger or low energy. Dr Vidya Tickoo, consultant endocrinologist at Yashoda Hospital, said it could lead to muscle loss, fatigue, weakness and reduced strength, affecting stamina and routine activities. It could also contribute to anaemia.Routine blood tests may not reveal muscle loss or poor muscle function, she said. Assessments of muscle mass and strength can help identify these problems.