The problem of poverty, food security and undernutrition are still a fundamental human welfare challenges in developing countries like India. The National Nutrition Policy (1993) was formulated to ensure the food security and redistribution of food grains at accessible price. But the nutritional status of marginalized communities is not improved satisfactory till date.
So, a cross sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and predictive Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) among adult Birhor of Korba District, Chhattisgarh.
The sample was drawn randomly through door-to-door visit from available household. Anthropometric measurement of 479 Birhor were taken using standard procedure. The thinness-based undernutrition was assessed using universally accepted BMI (WHO, 1995) classification. Harish-Benedict equation with 5% reduction was used to predict the BMR among them.
In this study total 49.9% (46.8% male and 52.5% female) Birhors were found undernourished. The prevalence of grade III, II and I thinness was 7.7% [6% male and 9.2% female], 9.6% [9.2% male and 10% female] and 32.6% [31.7% male and 33.3% female] respectively. There was no sexual variation (χ2 = 0.07; p≥0.05) observed in the prevalence of undernutrition. The mean BMR of male and female participant was 1238.60±127.78 (Kcal/d) and 1255.81±59.43 (kcal/d). The significant difference (F = 54.35; p≤0.05) exist in mean BMR between each nutritional categories [1291.49±87.42 (kcal/d), 1224.46±77.78 (kcal/d), 1189.51 (kcal/d) and 1137.97±96.99 (kcal/d) in normal, grade I, II and III of thinness respectively]. There was significant correlation (r = 0.52; p≤0.01) observed between BMR and BMI of participants.
The findings of this study concluded that nutritional status of adult Birhor of central India is very critical. Undernourished participants were more energy deficit than normal. Hence, an effective implementation of program and policy is required to improve the food security among Birhors for better health outcomes.
