Abstract
Problem of malnutrition increases, being one of the significant national issues in a developing country like India. In the present study, an attempt was made to understand the sociodemographic profile and nutritional status among the Bhaina tribes of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. A total of 161 females (2–75 years) were screened for anthropometric measurements. Nutritional status was evaluated in four groups of female categories: preschool: 2–5 years (n=11), children: 6#x2013;12 years (n=28), adolescent: 13–18 years (n=22), and adults >18 years (n=100) using the age specific cutoff points of body mass index (BMI). Statistical analysis was performed using MS EXCEL and SPSS software. More than 30% of the studied population is observed to be illiterate and unemployed. Significant age group difference is observed for anthropometric variables considered in the present study. Overall prevalence of thinness among the studied population was 32.3% (critical). Occurrence of thinness was found to be highest among children (57.1%). Occupation with wage labourer is significantly higher among parents of normal children (26.6%) than parents of undernourished children (19.6%). Findings of the present study suggest significance of anthropological approach in understanding nutritional status among different ethnic groups, specifically tribal community.
Highlights
Understanding variation/distribution of nutritional status in terms of malnutrition/undernutrition among nutritionally vulnerable populations is very essential in developing countries like India, accounting highest occurrence of childhood malnutrition in the world [1]
This is expected to be higher among lower socioeconomic sections of the country, the tribal community
Majority of them are living below poverty line (BPL), living in rural and remote areas, and working as “agricultural labourers.”
Summary
Understanding variation/distribution of nutritional status in terms of malnutrition/undernutrition (a deficiency of calories or of one or more essential nutrients) among nutritionally vulnerable populations is very essential in developing countries like India, accounting highest occurrence of childhood malnutrition in the world [1]. This is expected to be higher among lower socioeconomic sections of the country, the tribal community. The Bhainas of Bilaspur are probably offshoot of Kath Bhaina [4, 5], though the Bhainas no longer admit identity with the Baigas [4] They have gained the status of being one of the scheduled tribes of India
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
