Subal Das

Undernutrition among Adult Dhimals of Naxalbari, West Bengal: Comparison with other Tribes of Eastern India

Background The tribes of India comprise approximately 8% of the total population of the country, which probably has the largest number of tribal communities in the world. In general, the tribal populations are among the most underprivileged and undernourished people in India. Objectives To determine the anthropometric characteristics and prevalence of undernutrition, based on body mass index (BMI), of adult Dhimals, a tribal population of Naxalbari, West Bengal, India, and to compare these results with those from four other tribes of Eastern India: the Bathudis, Kora Mudis, Santals, and Savars. Methods A total of 305 adult (18 years or older) Dhimals (159 men and 146 women) from three villages (Maniram, Hatighisa, and Buraganj) in the Mallabari area of Naxalbari were studied. These villages are located 5 km from Siliguri town, which is approximately 580 km from Kolkata, the provincial capital of West Bengal. Anthropometric measurements included height and weight. BMI was calculated by the standard equation. Undernutrition was evaluated according to World Health Organization (WHO) cutoff points. Results The overall prevalence of undernutrition (BMI < 18.5) was very high (36.4%). The prevalence was significantly higher in women than in men (46.4% vs. 27.0%; χ2 = 12.54; p < .001; odds ratio, 2.35). According to the WHO criterion, the prevalence of undernutrition was high and the situation was serious in men. Among women, the prevalence of undernutrition was very high and the situation was critical. However, in general, compared with other tribal people of eastern India except the Santals, adult Dhimals had better anthropometric and nutritional profiles. Conclusions This study provides evidence that although the anthropometric and nutritional profiles of adult Dhimals are better than those of some of the other tribal populations of eastern India, immediate appropriate nutritional intervention programs are needed for implementation among this ethnic group.

Prevalence of Thinness among Santal Preschool Children Using New Body Mass Index Cut-Off Points

A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of undernutrition using body mass index (BMI) among 2–6-year Santal preschool children of Purulia District, West Bengal, India. A total of 251 (116 boys and 135 girls) children from 12 villages were measured. Commonly used indicators, that is, weight, height, and BMI, were used to evaluate the nutritional status. More boys (59.5%) than girls (53.3%), based on BMI, were undernourished. Significant age differences in weight (), height (), and BMI () among boys were observed. Similarly, significant differences between ages in mean weight (), height (), and BMI () were observed among the girls. The present study revealed that the nutritional status of the preschool children of Santal tribal community of these villages was poor with very high rate of thinness in boys and girls (59.5% and 53.3%, resp.).

Sexual Dimorphism in Health and Nutritional Status of Three Communities of Darjeeling District in West Bengal and Comparison with Some Other Populations of Eastern India: An Anthropometric Appraisal

Abstract A cross-sectional study undertaken in three endogamous populations, viz. Dhimal, Mech and Rajbanshi reveal some significant results of high prevalence of undernutrition and poor health condition. An anthropometric appraisal of health and nutrition of the individuals of both the sexes show remarkable sex differences with respect to the rates of chronic energy deficiency (CED) and undernutrition measured by body mass index (BMI ≤18.49 kg/m2) and frequency of subnormal health condition measured by Rohrer Index / Index of Corpulence (RI ≤1.19 gm/cm3). Samples of both sexes combined exhibit Dhimals (37.45%), Mech (13.02%) and Rajbanshi (23.56%) suffer from variable degrees of undernutrition (BMI ≤18.49 kg/m2). State of health assessed by Rohrer Index records 28.80% of the people of these three communities (both sexes combined) are in below normal range. Dhimals show highest rates of undernutrition (CED 27.04% in males and 46.58% in females) followed by Rahbanshis (CED 17.33% in males and 29.32% in females) and the Meches (CED 9.93% in males and 16.91% in females). Likewise, below standard health (RI ≤1.19 gm/cm3) is prevalent highest among the Dhimals (51.57% males and 35.61% females) subsequently in Rajbanshi (28.67% males and 22.99% females) and Mech (19.86% males and 12.67% females) communities. Conditions of the females are worse compared to the male counterparts of these communities. Results have been compared with further recent reports from some other populations of eastern India.

Nutritional status among children and adolescents aged 6–18 years of Kolam tribe of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract Malnutrition has become one of the serious problems among children and adolescents internationally, especially in developing countries. India, a developing country covers 40% of undernourished children of the world. In India, tribal population is among the most deprived and undernourished people. The present study shows the prevalence of undernutrition among Kolam tribal children and adolescents by comparing different Body Mass Index (BMI) cut off points. Age and sex specific nutritional status of studied population shows 15.01% boys and 18.35% girls are in Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) III category, 16.22% boys and 19.32% girls are in CEDII, 31.71% boys and 2.72% girls are in CEDI only 0.96% boys and 1.69% girls are in overweight category respectively. Undernutrition is not limited to young children, even adults are also severely underweight in developing countries. Health and nutrition of today’s adolescent girls may have great impact on the quality of next generation. Proper nutritional programs and health policies are needed to be implemented among tribals to solve the problem of undernutrition and similar studies should be planned in other underprivileged sections worldwide.

Nutritional Profile of Preschool Children: A Review

Abstract This paper reviews the prevalence of undernutrition among preschool children. The current review uses the z-score system to estimate the magnitude of undernutrition among preschool children because it reflects both previous and current nutritional status of the children. Hitherto, the research results from India revealed that the prevalence of underweight (93.3%), stunting (86.6%) and wasting (85.3%) was the highest among the Kinnaura of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh; the lowest observed prevalence of underweight (15.0%), stunting (11.4%) and wasting (10.8%) was among the Punjabi preschool children (Punjab). Studies beyond India revealed that the highest and lowest prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting was observed from Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Salvador (Central America). Thus, the present review revealed that the nutritional status of preschool children, particularly of tribal and rural areas, was in critical situation. Urgent nutritional attention is required.

Undernutrition among Bauri Pre-School Children of Nituria Block, Purulia District, West Bengal, India

Abstract Childhood undernutrition is a major global health problem, especially in developing countries like India. It leads to increased morbidity and mortality among children. Our study assessed the prevalence of undernutrition among 2-6 year old pre-school children of Bauri caste of Nituria Block, Purulia, West Bengal, India. A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 219 pre-school children in five different villages. Height and weight measurements were made following standard techniques. Height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-age (WAZ) and weightfor-height (WHZ) <-2 z-scores were used to assess stunting, underweight and wasting, respectively, following the NCHS Guidelines. Severity of undernutrition was evaluated on the basis of classification of WHO recommendations. Result revealed that the mean HAZ, WAZ and WHZ were less than (negative value) those of NCHS for both sexes at all ages. Values ranged from -0.91 (HAZ for boys aged 5 years) to -2.05 (WAZ for girls aged 2 years). The overall (age and sex combined) rates of stunting, underweight and wasting were 37.0 %, 48.4 % and 21.5%, respectively. The present study clearly demonstrated that the nutritional situation of these children was serious.

Sexual Dimorphism in Blood Pressure and Hypertension among Adult Parengi Porjas of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

The present study investigated blood pressure levels as well as the prevalence of hypertension among adult Parengi Porja tribals of village Munchingput Mandalam, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. A cross-sectional study was used to collect data on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse rate. A total of 137 adults (100 males and 37 females) were measured and classified into three age groups, that is, Gr-I: 23 to 32 years, Gr-II: 33 to 42 years, and Gr-III: ≥ 43 years. Negative significant sex difference in SBP among age group I (; ) was observed. Positive significant sex difference in DBP among age group I (; ) was also observed. Significant age group difference was noticed for SBP (; ) among males. Based on SBP, the prevalence of prehypertension and stage I hypertension in males was 25.0% and 5.0%, respectively. Similarly, in females the prevalence of prehypertension and stage I hypertension based on SBP was 32.4% and 5.4%, respectively. On the basis of DBP, the prevalence of stage I hypertension in males was 5.0%. Similarly, in females, the prevalence of stage I hypertension based on DBP was 5.4%. Our results suggest that females of this ethnic group were more prone to have prehypertension and stage I hypertension than males.

Blood Pressure and Hypertension among Adult Savara Tribals of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India: A Public Health Concern

We studied dimorphism in blood pressure levels as well as the prevalence of hypertension among adult Savara tribals of village Munchingput Mandalam, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India. A cross-sectional study was used to collect data on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and pulse rate. A total of 148 adults (95 males and 53 females) were measured and classified into three age-groups, i.e., Group I: 23–32 years, Group II: 33–42 years and Group III: >≥43 years. Negative significant sex difference in SBP among age group I (t = –2.409; p < 0.05) were observed. Positive significant sex difference in DBP among age group I (t = 2.545; p < 0.05) were also observed. Significant age group difference was noticed for SBP (F =4.332; p < 0.01) among males. Based on SBP the prevalence of prehypertension and stage I hypertension in males were 2.1% and 1.1%, respectively. Similarly, in females the prevalence of prehypertension and stage I hypertension based on SBP were 5.7% and 9.4%, respectively. On the basis of DBP the prevalence of prehypertension in males was 1.0%. Significant sex difference (x2 = 7.691; p < 0.05) in prevalence of elevated blood pressure was observed. Thus we can conclude that females of this studied ethnic group are more prone to have prehypertension and stage-I hypertension than their male counterparts.

Adiposity and Health Status among Adult Male Mundas and Oraons of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, India

The present cross-sectional study was conducted among two male tribal groups Munda () and Oraon () aged 18–73 years of Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal. Objective was to evaluate the health status based on body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (PBF). Measurements of weight, height, circumferences, and skinfolds were recorded. Results revealed that mean age of Mundas () and Oraons () in years were similar. Significant () ethnic differences in mean chest circumference and anterior thigh skinfold were observed. Both Munda (50.0%) and Oraon (46.2%) males suffered from very high degree of chronic energy deficiency (CED) based on BMI. Similarly, for percent body fat (PBF), Mundas (29.3%) and Oraons (35.4%) had unhealthy (too low) PBF (i.e., ≤5%) levels. Significantly negative correlations were observed between age and BMI and positive correlations between age, waist-hip ratio (WHR), and conicity index (CI) (only Mundas) among Mundas and Oraons. In Linear regression, age had a significant impact on all derived central and overall adiposity measures. Prospective studies are required to determine the associations between health status and PBF as well as nutrition status and BMI in different indigenous ethnic groups of India and elsewhere.