Nutritional profile of Kolagur tribal women in Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, India: An exploratory study

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is a long-standing global health issue to which the tribal population are highly vulnerable. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment is crucial. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the nutritional status of tribal women in Kolagur, Yercaud, using anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary assessment parameters. Subjects and Methods: An exploratory study was carried out among women (n = 100) between 18 and 60 years of age from Kolagur, a tribal village in Yercaud taluk, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. Information on sociodemographic profile of participants was collected using a structured interview schedule. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary parameters were assessed using appropriate standard techniques/tools. Nutrient intake was computed using Diet Cal software and the statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS statistics software version 25. Results: Majority of the participants were malnourished of which 25% were underweight, 20% were obese, and 17% were overweight. The mean waist-to-hip ratio (mean ± standard deviation: 0.87 ± 0.13) was marginally higher than the normal cutoff value for women. The prevalence of anemia was much lower where only 21% had mild anemia, 5% had moderate anemia, and 1% had severe anemia. About 21% were prediabetic and 9% were diabetic. Majority (51%) of the participants had altered blood pressure levels with 20% in hypertension Stage 2, 19% in prehypertensive stage, and 12% in hypertension Stage 1. The mean intake of nutrients such as energy, thiamine, ascorbic acid, and folate was significantly higher than the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), whereas the mean intake of fat, retinol, riboflavin, pyridoxine, calcium, and iron was significantly lesser than the RDA. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the urgent need for well-planned nutrition-oriented health policies at the community level to eradicate the double burden of malnutrition.