The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of settlement on the nutrition and health status of pastoral women of reproductive age. A cross-sectional survey that included a 24 h dietary recall was administered to 224 randomly selected Gabra women. Height and weight were used to compute BMI. Whole capillary blood was used to measure Hb. Additional capillary blood was collected on filter paper and dried blood spots were analysed for transferritin receptor, C-reactive protein and α1-acid glycoprotein. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse population characteristics. The t test and the χ2 test were used to determine population differences. Multiple criteria models were used to determine the prevalence of Fe deficiency, anaemia and inflammation.