Background: Improper dietary intake pattern in women of reproductive age in Nepal has resulted in the deficiency
of essential nutrients. Adequate nutritional status and proper dietary intake pattern of women improves maternal
and child health. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status and dietary intake pattern among
the women and associated factors.
Methods: Data collection at households and health check-up camps were conducted in selected Village
Development Committees of nine districts in three ecological regions (Mountain, Hill and Terai) of Nepal from
September 2011 to August 2012. Women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years) were the study subjects. At
the household interview, structured questionnaires were used to obtain information on socio-demographic
characteristics, anthropometric measurements, dietary intake pattern, consumption of junk foods, animal rearing,
agricultural products, possession of kitchen garden, pregnancy status and anemia. Dietary intake pattern was
determined by information collected through the structured questionnaires comprising of food items-cereals,
pulses/legumes, vegetables, meat, fruits and milk and milk products. Health check-up camps were conducted in
the local health facilities where qualified doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians performed physical examination
of the women, confirmed their pregnancy and conducted hematocrit tests. The data was entered and analyzed
using SPSS.