Health and
Nutritional Status of a Primitive Tribe of Madhya Pradesh: Baiga
*Mrs. Sapna Jaiswal, **Dr Ajeet Jaiswal,
*Mrs.
Sapna Jaiswal, Ph.D, Scholar, Department
of Anthropology, Madras University, Chennai.
**
Ajeet Jaiswal, Assistant Professors, Department of Anthropology, Pondicherry
University, Puducherry-605014.;
Abstract-
Health and nutritional status of an individual depends on the food
he eats. Man needs a wide range of nutrients to lead a healthy and active life
and these are derived through the diet they consume daily. Good nutrition is a
basic component of health. This paper deals with the utility of various
anthropometric cut-off points in the evaluation of nutritional & Health
status. Total 616 subjects studied from 201 household of the five villages of
Baigachak area. Anthropometric measurements taken were height and weight.
Dietary data was collected using 24hr recall method. The extent of malnutrition
for preschool children was assessed by SD classification and
the nutritional status of adults was assessed by BMI classification.
About 58.6% of the pre-school children were under weight (moderate to severe)
out of them 23.2% children were severely under weight. Stunting and wasting
were seen in 42.2% and 36.2% children respectively. Prevalence of chronic
energy deficiency (BMI<18.5) was about 78% among adult population.
Consumption of cereals was higher than recommended level (460gm), while the
consumption of other foodstuff was lower than the RDA. The intake of all
nutrients except calcium was significantly lower than recommended level. It is
suggested that the overall socio-economic development should be accelerated in
order to improve the health and nutritional status of Baiga Tribe.
Keywords : Baiga tribe, nutritional status, nutrient intake, BMI, RDA.
