A study was conducted to assess the impact of nutrition counseling on food consumption pattern of obese women from low, middle and high income group. To study the prevalence of obesity, 150 women in the age group of 40-50 years, belonging to low (LIG), middle (MIG) and high (HIG) income group (50 from each income group) were randomly selected from sub-mountainous region of Hoshiarpur city. Twenty five normal (BMI 20-22.9 kg/m2) and 25 obese (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2) women from each income group were selected. Nutrition counseling was imparted to the subjects for 3 months. Its impact was assessed in terms of their dietary intake and gain in knowledge. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in women belonging to HIG (70.7%) followed by MIG (67.3%) and LIG (56.6%). Percent adequacy of food groups like fats & oils, cereals, milk & milk products, roots and tubers and fruits was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in obese subjects as compared to normal subjects. Nutrition counseling of the obese subjects resulted in a gain in their knowledge and quantum of improvement, which further led to a decrease in the intake of fats & oils, cereals, milk & milk products, and roots & tubers by the obese subjects, compared to their consumption before the intervention and compared to women who only received routine counseling.

Keywords: Obesity; BMI; Income groups; Nutrition counseling.