Effect of Covid 19 lockdown on the lifestyle and dietary diversity of women handloom workers

BACKGROUND: Covid-19 lockdown has influenced the lifestyle of handloom women as weaving is the only mean of earnings for them. The nutrition profile of working women is a vital part of their general health as they have more chances of dietary deficiencies; in addition they face various safety related problems at workplace. Working conditions and household responsibilities complicate role conflict leading to stress that in turn affect nutrition and health status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Purposive sampling method was used to collect data from 100 samples of women handloom workers between the ages of 30–60 years from Kanhirode Weaver's Co-operative Society, Kannur, Kerala, India. Personal interview method was used for data collection. The interview schedule included occupational health profile, anthropometric, physical activity and food frequency assessment. Dietary diversity questionnaire was used to assess the levels and adequacy of dietary diversity. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) was used to assess psychological well-being among the samples. RESULTS: COVID-19 lockdown downgraded the life style of majority (90.7%) of women workers. Majority of samples were with mean age 46.74 ± 5.73 years and height of 1.52 ± 0.10 m respectively. Out of 100, 63 samples noticed a weight change from which majority (71.4%) noticed an increase in their body weight. The mean weight before lockdown was 54.100 ± 7.603 Kg and after lockdown 55.020 ± 8.013 Kg. The mean BMI before lockdown was 23.232 ± 2.866 and after lockdown BMI slightly increased to 23.572 ± 2.928. Lockdown introduced a significant reduction in percentage of consumption of pulses (3.7 ± 1.2g), fish (4.1 ± 0.5g), chicken (2.0 ± 0.6g), meat (1.4 ± 0.6g) and milk products (4.6 ± 1.05 ml). Most of the subsamples were not meeting the calories (2063.3 ± 166.9 Kcal), fat (20.6 ± 4.3g) and micronutrients such as vitamin A (761.3 ± 180.3 mg), vitamin C (61.2 ± 15.9 mg) and calcium (963.3 ± 183.9 mg) requirements which indicate the incomplete dietary diversity. CONCLUSION: The nutrition profile of women handloom workers was negatively influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.