Nutritional Status and Anaemic Assessment of Female Stone Crushers of Manipur Valley

Abstract

Life Style, Standard of Living and Occupational Environment may directly influence the condition of one’s health condition. The present study aims to determine the health status of female stone crushers of Manipur valley. A total of 290 subjects from different 46 stone crushing units are considered for the present study. They were interviewed and followed by measurement of haemoglobin level, body-height, body-weight, total body water percent, waist girth and hip girth. Mean values of Haemoglobin level, body Mass Index, Total Body Water% Waist Hip Ratio are found to be 11.66 ± 5.12 g/dl, 22 ± 3.33 kg/m2, 57.57 ± 3.14% and 0.85 ± 0.06 respectively. Deviation from the normal range is revealed in some of the parameters resulting to a negative impact on their health status. Uses of International BMI Cut off in place of Asian Cut off by NFHS-4 can lead to inaccurate nutritional status. Higher content of total body water can be a contributing factor for normal as well as overweight category of bMI leading to false health condition. Higher prevalence of high waist ratio and higher prevalence of anaemia as observed in the present study can be considered as an indicator for the presence of public health problem in the studied population.