Background: Many studies reported that family income plays an important role behind food accessibility and availability. This study reports nutrients intake among the APL (above poverty line) and BPL (below poverty line) households in a Birbhum village namely Sahajapur of West Bengal, India.

Methods: Households of Sahajapur were classified in two categories (APL and BPL) on the basis of monthly household income. Diet survey was conducted among the APL (n=23) and BPL (n=43) households to examine the role of income behind intake of different nutrients. Child nutrition was accessed following Waterlow (1992).

Results: There is not much variation in food types consumed by APL and BPL households. Energy gain is lower in both the APL and BPL households as per ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) recommended allowance, though this deficiency is comparatively higher among the BPL households than the APL households. BPL households are deficient in greater number of nutrients than the APL households. Side by side, APL children enjoy better nutritional status than the BPL children.

Discussion: Poverty plays an important role behind purchase of different food items which resulted in nutrient intake of the above and below poverty line households of Sahajapur village.

Conclusion: There is a need of initiation of supply of essential nutrients to the vulnerable households of Sahajapur village, particularly to the BPL households.