Man needs a wide range of nutrients to lead a healthy and active life and these are derived through the diet they consume daily. Good nutrition is a basic component of health. The present paper assesses the Socio-Economic, Nutritional and Health conditions among 115 rural Dalit women of age group 21-50 above years in the village Kalittheerthalkuppam, Puducherry. A cross-sectional study was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative data-collection methods. The data was ollected using a standard questionnaire, containing information on socioeconomic food/nutrient intake, observations and assessment of their general knowledge and awareness about health, nutrition and taken some anthropometric measurement. The mean BMI of 43.47% Dalit women was found to be <18.5 (chronic energy deficiency) i.e. underweight. The overall quality of food and nutrient intake was poor as the intake of all the food groups was found to be much lower than their RDAs. The mean energy and protein intake was found to be consuming much below the RDAs. Similarly, the intake of nutrients was also found to be inadequate particularly of vegetables and pulses which met only 97.39% and 80% of the RDAs, respectively. Dietary deficiencies were also reflected in their physiological processes like menstrual problems and pregnancy complications, before menopause etc. Efforts are needed to improve education and diet quality of Dalit women so that they may improve their health and nutritional profile reflected their condition.
