Nutritional profile of workers engaged in brick kiln industry

Present study was conducted on 40 male heavy workers of Ludbiana District, aged 25–39 yrs, engaged in transporting dried bricks to the kiln. The objective was to assess their nutritional profile, energy balance and occupational stresses. Dietary intake was recorded by 24-hour recall cum weighment method for 3 consecutive days. Information regarding background, anthropometry, occupational stresses, clinical diagnosis and personal habits was collected using pre-tested interview schedule. Results revealed that majority of the labourers were illiterate, belonged to nuclear families and backward caste. Consumption of all food groups, except green leafy vegetables, milk and milk products, and sugar and jaggery, was lower than the suggested intake. Intake of energy, total fat, and vitamin B₁₂ was lesser than RDA. Energy balance was negative in almost 40 per cent of labourers. Major occupational strains experienced were backache, heat exhaustion, respiratory disorders and joint pain, etc. Therefore, the labourers require nutrition education and better pay package for upliftment of their nutriture.