This book is collection of papers on a variety of cross-cutting issues on the theme of mental health and aging women. It brings together contributions from academics, researchers, and medical practitioners, in the form of review papers, hospital and community based quantitative and qualitative research studies, psychological evaluations, and observations and experiences of medical practitioners. Besides the findings of a research project on Mental Health and Aging this book gives demographic data on the socio-economic and health conditions of the aged population of India, explores the concerns and issues of aging women, their social realities and covers a range of problems related to the physical and mental health of elder persons. The role of nutrition in mental health and intervention strategies has also been discussed in some papers. The last part is an annotated bibliography of over 50 relevant literatures on Aging, Gender and Mental Health.

Prof. Parul Dave retired in 2005 from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda as Head, Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Director, Womens Studies Research Centre. Family studies, womens studies and aging are areas of her academic interest. Her research work varies from tribal areas of Gujarat to migrated Gujaratis within and outside India. She had received Post-doctoral Fulbright Fellowship in 1992 and Shastri Indo Canadian Felloship in Women and Development in 2001. For these fellowships she had studied situation, programs and policies of Indian Aging Women in U.S.A. and Canada respectively. She is particularly interested in marriage and intergeneration relationships with focus on gender issues.



Prof. Pallavi M. Mehta holds a M.Sc. Degree in Foods and Nutrition and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from M.S. University of Baroda. Presently she is Head and Professor, Department of Foods and Nutrition at the M.s. University of Baroda. She has more than 34 years of experience in teaching and research. Her area of interest is Geriatric Nutrition. She has published sizeable number (over fifty) of papers in reputed National and International journals and written several monographs, chapters in books and report of the projects that she had undertaken. She was Govt. of India scholar for two years and during her career she made presentations at conferences and won prestigious awards like Goenka Memorial award from India Dietetic Association and Young Scientist award from Nutrition Society of India. She is a registered dietitian recognized by India Dietetic Association. She is member of many professional and academic bodies and was Vice President, IDA Gujarat Chapter, President, Alumini Association of Department of Foods and Nutrition, M.S. University.