Association between farming and chronic energy deficiency in rural South India.
OBJECTIVE
To examine factors associated with chronic energy deficiency (CED) and anaemia in disadvantaged Indian adults who are mostly involved in subsistence farming.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study in which we collected information on socio-demographic factors, physical activity, anthropometry, blood haemoglobin concentration, and daily household food intake. These data were used to calculate body mass index (BMI), basal metabolic rate (BMR), daily energy expenditure, and energy and nutrient intake. Multivariable backward stepwise logistic regression was used to assess socioeconomic and lifestyle factors associated with CED (defined as BMI<18 kg/m²) and anaemia.


METHODS
The study was conducted in 12 villages, in the Rishi Valley, Andhra Pradesh, India.


METHODS
Individuals aged 18 years and above, residing in the 12 villages, were eligible to participate.


RESULTS
Data were available for 1178 individuals (45% male, median age 36 years (inter quartile range (IQR 27-50)). The prevalence of CED (38%) and anaemia (25%) was high. Farming was associated with CED in women (2.20, 95% CI: 1.39-3.49) and men (1.71, 95% CI: (1.06-2.74). Low income was also significantly associated with CED, while not completing high school was positively associated with anaemia. Median iron intake was high: 35.7 mg/day (IQR 26-46) in women and 43.4 mg/day (IQR 34-55) in men.


CONCLUSIONS
Farming is an important risk factor associated with CED in this rural Indian population and low dietary iron is not the main cause of anaemia. Better farming practice may help to reduce CED in this population.
Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Southern Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Asvini K
AK
Subasinghe
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Karen Z
KZ
Walker
Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Roger G
RG
Evans
Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Southern Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Velandai
V
Srikanth
Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Southern Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Simin
S
Arabshahi
Rishi Valley Rural Health Centre, Bangalore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Kamakshi
K
Kartik
Rishi Valley Rural Health Centre, Bangalore, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Kartik
K
Kalyanram
Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Southern Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ; Florey Neuroscience Institutes, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Amanda G
AG
Thrift
D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000886:Anthropometry; D001247:Asthenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D006454:Hemoglobins