Health Status of Hill Farm Women and Development of Children as Key Indicator of Women Empowerment

Women's poor health has repercussions not only for women but also their families in terms of household and overall well being, as women in poor health will be less productive and less empowered. The present research study with ex-post facto research design was taken up in Dotiyal gaon of Takula block in Almora district of Uttarakhand state with the objective to assess the health of hill farm women and its impact upon the development of their children. Sample size consisted of 50 mothers and their 50 children under four years of age. Body Mass Index and haemoglobin level were assessed to determine the health status of mothers. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) of children were taken for assessing the physical development. Bayley Scales of Infant Development II was administered to assess motor development of children. Results revealed that mothers had poor health profile with low BMI and low haemoglobin level. Only 26% had normal BMI (20.0–25.0) and 90% had haemoglobin <12 g %. Only 12 per cent children were under normal category of physical development. Six per cent of children showed delayed motor performance. A positive and significant relationship between nutritional and health profile of mothers with physical and motor development of their children was found at 0.01% level of significance. Study suggests improvement through intervention in different health related areas of hill farm women as women's health is of crucial importance for healthy family, healthy generation and thus healthy nation.