title: Anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status of Kondh: a tribal population of Kandhmal District, Orissa, India.
abstract: A cross-sectional study, using body mass index (BMI), was undertaken to describe the anthropometric profile and nutritional status of the Desia Kondh, a tribal population of Orissa, India, which is characterized by rural poverty. A total of 326 (male = 154 and female = 172) adult (aged > or = 18 years) Kondh (Desia Kondh) from three villages were studied. Approximately 16% of males and 26% of females were severely thin (BMI < 16.0). Overall, the extent of undernutrition (BMI < 18.5) was found to be very high (> 75%), with prevalence of undernutrition in men and women of 74.5% and 76.6%, respectively. There was a significantly, p < 0.05, greater proportion of females in the lowest BMI groups. There was also a significant, p < 0.01, positive association between monthly income and BMI. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a high proportion of adult undernutrition and indicates a need for nutrition intervention programmes among the Kondh.
authors: Palli Charcha Kendra, Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India. arnab_cu@rediffmail.com
authors: Arnab
authors: A
authors: Ghosh
authors: Sanjib Kumar
authors: SK
authors: Bala
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors