Anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status of adult Oraon men of Gumla District, Jharkhand, India

Background. According to the 2001 Census, India has a tribal population of over 84 million which constitutes 8.2 % of its total population. In general, the tribal populations of India are very undernourished. Objectives. To determine the anthropometric characteristics and prevalence of undernutrition, based on body mass index (BMI), of adult male Oraons, a tribal population of Gumla District, Jharkhand, India. Methods. A total of 205 adult (age=18 years and above) Oraon men of five villages, namely, Kubatoli, Rehetoli, Bhitar (inner) Serka, Bahir Serka, and Chera, in Gumla District, Jharkhand. These villages are located approximately 130 km from Ranchi, the provincial capital of Jharkhand. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, circumferences and skinfolds. BMI was calculated by the standard equation. Chronic energy deficiency (CED) was evaluated according internationally accepted BMI cut-off points. Results. The means (SD) for height, weight and BMI were 161.8 (6.3) cm, 47.3 (5.3) kg and 18.0 (1.6), respectively. The prevalence of CED (BMI < 18.5) was 63.9 %. The rates of CED III (BMI < 16.0), CED II (BMI = 16.0 to 16.9) and CED I (BMI = 17.0 to 18.4) were 7.3 %, 17.6 % and 39.0 %, respectively. According to the WHO criterion, the prevalence of undernutrition was very high and the situation was critical. Conclusions. Adult Oraon men of Gumla, Jharkhand, are facing severe nutritional stress. The situation is critical, necessitating implementation of immediate nutritional intervention programs.