Assessment of nutritional status among adult Hos of Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India
Department of Anthropology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore- 721102, West Bengal, India.
Research Article
International Journal of Scientific Research Updates, 2021, 02(01), 022–028.
Article DOI: 10.53430/ijsru.2021.2.1.0034
Publication history:
Received on 01 October 2021; revised on 28 November 2021; accepted on 30 November 2021
Abstract:
The tribal population in India, as per 2011 census is 104.3 million, constituting 8.6% of the total population. Overall, 89.97% of them live in rural areas. Nutrition has been a major health issue in India for centuries. Chronic hunger and under-nutrition are the worst tribulation of the poverty that still plagues millions of tribal households in India.
The objective of this study was to assess the anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status of the population.
The present cross-sectional study was carried out at 2 blocks (Debra and Dantan II) of Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India. A total 392 adults (Female= 207; Male= 185) Ho tribal people were included in this study.
The mean (SD) value of height (cm), weight (kg), mid-upper arm circumference [MUAC (cm)], body mass index [BMI (kg/m2)] was higher among males 159.68 (5.64), 54.53 (8.00), 24.79 (2.56) and 21.37 (2.85) respectively, than females 149.16 (5.42), 46.01 (7.98), 22.00 (2.76) and 20.65 (3.19). These values were statistically significant (p<0.0001). Based on MUAC, the prevalence of undernutrition was higher among females (55.6%) than males (26.5%) and this was statistically significant (p<0.001). However, based on BMI, the prevalence of undernutrition was higher among females (27.5%) than males (16.8%), which was statistically significant (p<0.05) also.
According to WHO classification of chronic energy deficiency (CED), the rate of under nutrition indicated a serious situation. Thus, to reduce the nutritional stress among this ethnic group, appropriate nutritional intervention programmes are needed to be initiated.
Keywords:
Body Mass Index; Mid Upper Arm Circumference; Ho; Nutritional Status; Undernutrition
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