Abstract
Objective
Assessment of the nutritional status among 309 Kamar children (161 boys and 148 girls) aged 4–12 years.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 24-hours dietary recall method was used to assess dietary intakes of children. Height and weight were recorded and children were classified by WHO criterion (Z-score) using nutritional indices i.e. weight for age, height for age and weight for height. NCHS data were used as reference. Mean energy and protein intake per day were measured and compared with Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of Indian standards.
Results
More than 90 percent of children (both boys and girls) in the age group of 4–6 years suffered by underweight (<−2 SD weight for age), which was comparatively lower in 7–9 and 10–12 years age group children. 84.51 percent of boys suffered by stunting (<−2 SD height for age), which was much higher than girls (47.54%) in 4–6 years age group. Similarly, 80 percent of 4–6 years age group children were affected by wasting (<−2 SD weight for height). The consumption of energy and protein were also much lower among Kamar children than the RDA of India throughout the ages.
Conclusion
Undernutrition in the form of underweight, stunting and wasting and low consumption of dietary intake (energy and protein) was found to be widely prevalent among Kamar tribal children. Therefore, an urgent dietary intervention programme is necessary. Further studies are required to investigate into problem and to supplement the key nutrients which are required to ensure a good nutritional status in children.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
National Family Health Survey (NFHS 2). Chhattisgarh (1998–1999). Mumbai; International Institute of Population Sciences, 2002.
James LF. India-Sector Review of Nutrition Programmes. A background paper prepared for the World Bank. New Delhi, 1998.
National Institute of Nutrition. Dietary Guidelines for Indians-A manual. Hyderabad; National Institute of Nutrition, 2003.
Vijayaraghavan K, Brahmam GNV, Venkaiah K et al. Diet and Nutrition Situation in Drought Affected Areas of Rajasthan. Hyderabad; National Institute of Nutrition, 2003.
Ghosh S, Shah D. Nutritional problem in urban slum children. Indian Pediatr 2004; 41: 682–696.
Uppal M, Kumari K, Sidhu S. Clinical assessment of health and nutritional status of scheduled caste preschool children of Amritsar. Anthropologist 2005; 7: 169–171.
National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau. Diet and Nutritional Status of Tribal Population Repeat Survey. Hyderabad; National Institute of Nutrition, 2000.
Balgir RS, Kerketta AS, Murmu B et al. Clinical assessment of health and nutritional status of Gond children in Kalahandi district of Orissa. Indian J Nutri Dietet 2002; 39: 31–37.
Rao MK, Kumar RH, Venkaiah K et al. Nutritional status of Saharia-A primitive tribe of Rajasthan. J Hum Ecol 2006; 19: 117–123.
National Institute of Nutrition. Pre-conference workshop on epidemiological tools in assessment of nutritional status. Hyderabad; National Institute of Nutrition, 2005: 1–18.
Martorell R, Ho TJ. Malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. Popul Dev Rev 1984; 10(Suppl.): 49–68.
World Health Organization Physical Status. The Use and Interpretation of Anthropometry. WHO technical report No. 854, Geneva; WHO, 1995.
Patterson RE, Pietinen P. Assessment of nutritional status in individuals and populations. In Gibney MJ, Margetts BM, Keaeney JM et al., ed. Public Health Nutrition. Oxford; Blackwell Publishing Company, 2005; 66–82.
Dolla CK, Meshram P, Shrivastava P et al. Nutritional status of Kodaku preschool children in Central India. J Hum Ecol 2005; 17: 229–231.
Weiner JS, Lourie A. Practical Human Biology. London; Academic Press, 1981.
Gopalan C, Rama Sastri BV, Balasubramniam SC. Nutritive value of Indian Foods: Hyderabad; National Institute of Nutrition; 1989.
Rao BR, Klontz CE, Benjamin V et al. Nutrition and health status survey of school children 1. Rural school children in Kaniyambadi vally, North Arcot District. Indian J Pediatr 1961; 28: 39–50.
Frisancho AR. Anthropometric Standards for Assessment of Growth and Nutritional Status. Michigan; The University of Michigan Press, 1990.
Sankhala A, Sankhla AK, Bhatnagar B et al. Dietary status of children of Udaipur district. Anthropologist 2004; 6: 257–259.
Agrahar-Murugkar D. Nutritional status of Khasi schoolgirls in Meghalaya, Nutrition 2005; 21: 425–431.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mitra, M., Kumar, P.V., Chakrabarty, S. et al. Nutritional status of Kamar tribal children in Chhattisgarh. Indian J Pediatr 74, 381–384 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0064-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-007-0064-4