Health and nutritional status of three adult male populations of Eastern India: an anthropometric appraisa

Abstract

Background: Tribes constitute a considerable proportion (8.2%) of the Indian population. Most of them are
underprivileged. In general, data are scarce on the nutritional status of the various tribal and rural populations
of India. The principal aim of this study was to understand the age-trend and ethnic variations in
anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status in three adult male populations (Oraon, Sarak and
Dhimal) of eastern India. This report is significant because of the new and empirical data on these
communities. Oraon is an age-old tribe while Dhimal is a much less known small community and Sarak is also
a less studied group.
Methods: A cross-sectional study in the perspective of anthropometric assessment of health and nutritional
status has been undertaken among the adult male samples (aged 18 years and above) of three endogamous
and tribal communities of eastern India, viz., Oraons (n=290), Saraks (n=158) and Dhimals (n=159). The
major objective of the present study was to report nutritional status, based on Body Mass Index (BMI), Mid
Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) and Rohrer Index (RI) of the adult males of the
Oraon and Sarak communities of the district of Ranchi in Jharkhand and among the Dhimals of Darjeeling
district in West Bengal.
Results: Results describing the situation of the Oraons was worse (53.10%) followed by the Saraks (27.85%)
and the Dhimals (27.04%) with respect to low Body Mass Index (BMI) and high degree of undernutrition (BMI
< 18.49 kg/mt2). Health profile of the adult males evaluated by Rohrer Index (RI) documented that 66.89% of
the Oraons had subnormal health the condition (RI ≤ 1.19). In addition, 51.57% of Dhimals and 39.87% of the
Saraks also exhibited to have subnormal state of health in this appraisal. Sizeable proportion of each of these
populations was observed to have poor nutrition, as evaluated by the standard cut-off values of MUAC.
Conclusions: Results displayed prevalence of high level of undernutrition and considerable percentages of
non-obesity in these populations. Age variation of anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status
grossly showed conspicuous negative trend of the parameters with the advancement of age with a few minor
exceptions