Estimates of Indigenous Food Consumption and Their Contribution to Nutrient Intake in Oraon Tribal Women of Jharkhand, India

Abstract

Introduction: Oraon tribes of India have high levels of undernutrition. Dietary diversification is one of the food-based interventions to ameliorate malnutrition. Objectives: This study assessed the awareness and availability of indigenous foods and estimated dietary intakes and nutritional status with emphasis on indigenous food consumption among women in the Oraon tribal community in Jharkhand, India. Design: A cross-sectional study with a longitudinal component on dietary intake assessment to capture seasonality. Setting: Selected villages in Raidih block of Gumla district of Jharkhand. Participants: Reproductive-age Oraon tribal women (N ¼143).Methods: Household and dietary surveys were conducted. A 24-hour dietary recall for 2 consecutive days (repeat surveys in 2 other seasons) and food frequency questionnaire were adminsitered on 1 woman per household. Anthropometric assessments were also carried out. Outcomes: Socioeconomic status, awareness about indigenous foods, dietary intake pattern, and contribution of indigenous food to nutrient intake of Oraon tribal women in the reproductive age-group. Results: Comprehensive awareness about indigenous food resources was present. However, household food security and actual intake of indigenous foods were low. Higher intake of key micronutrients, calcium and iron, was observed among those who consumed indigenous foods. About 40% of the woman had various degrees of chronic energy deficiency.

Agroforestry diversity, indigenous food consumption and nutritional outcomes in Sauria Paharia tribal women of Jharkhand, India

“…Studies have also cited poor access to land, large family size and lack of knowledge about dietary diversity as the possible factors for poor dietary diversity among women (Powell et al, 2015; Powell, Bezner Kerr, Young, & Johns, 2017). The lack of diversity and overall poor socio‐economic profile of the study population was echoed in the poor nutritional status (41% underweight and poor nutrient intake) of the women, a finding similar to previous studies in tribal communities of India from Jharkhand and other states (Das & Bose, 2015; Ghosh‐Jerath et al, 2016, 2018). Other studies on women from resource poor settings in India and other Asian countries have also reported inadequate energy and micronutrient intake to varying extent.…”

“…The Sauria Paharia community is considered as PVTG owing to poor development and nutritional indicators and access to health services (Jamwal, 2019; Lal, 2019; MHN Report, 2014). The micronutrient consumption of the community was, however, comparable to that observed in other tribal groups in the region (Ghosh‐Jerath et al, 2016, 2018). Despite an overall low median MDD‐W score, a score of equal to or above 3 was independently associated with higher intake of macronutrients and micronutrients.…”

“…Although many indigenous varieties of cereals, GLVs, roots and tubers, other vegetables and fruits were known and potentially available, the access to these foods and frequency of their consumption was low. A typical day's diet for a large majority included rice and some kind of roots and tubers and/or GLVs, a pattern also reported for other tribal communities of Jharkhand and other states (Ghosh‐Jerath et al, 2016, 2018; Thirumani Devi & Sindhuja, 2015).…”

“…This could be because IFs like GLVs were exceptionally rich in specific nutrients and thus contributed to substantial increase in the nutrient intake even when consumed in low amounts. Previous studies on Santhal and Oraon tribal women also demonstrated a similar outcome of higher mineral intake of iron and calcium upon consumption of IFs (Ghosh‐Jerath et al, 2016, 2018). Several studies in South America and Africa have documented contribution of IFs towards micronutrient intake.…”

“…The energy and protein intake of women was comparatively lower than intakes reported in studies conducted in Santhal and Oraon tribes residing in the state of Jharkhand (Ghosh‐Jerath et al, 2016, 2018). The Sauria Paharia community is considered as PVTG owing to poor development and nutritional indicators and access to health services (Jamwal, 2019; Lal, 2019; MHN Report, 2014).…”