A Study of the Basic and Derived Anthropometric Indices among the Healthy Adults of Raji Tribe of Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

This study is based on the health and nutritional status of Raji community by using anthropometric profile likes height, weight, waist and hip circumferences and three parameter were derive from these measurement, i.e., Body Mass Index (BMI), waist–hip ratio (WHR) and Hemoglobin (Hb). In this study we collected N = 94 adult individuals blood samples and anthropometric measurement aged above 18 years of nine villages in the study area. Anthropometric measurements and Hb including it is reported in this study that the prevalence of undernutrition was found to be high (45.7%) and it seems higher prevalence in males than females. The sexual differences body parameters were also evaluated. Both males and females show statistically no differences in their mean age. Mean values of BMI of the Raji is significantly lower than those of other tribal populations of India as reported in several other studies. These trends were much higher than those found in several tribal populations from other parts of India. These results indicate lack of health awareness on healthy lifestyle and also they have no idea about healthy nutritious diet, etc. Therefore, they are not able to intake the nutritious substances (vitamins, proteins, minerals, and so on) because the health status in this community directly proportional to the economic (financial) and socio-cultural conditions of these people. Therefore, they are suffering from malnutrition, anaemia, mental retardness and other symptoms which are related to the blood disease. In this article, it has been attempted to evaluate the health situation of the Raji tribes and has also an attempt has been made to make some recommendations related to their health and social development which might be helpful in their successful development.