Understanding the Variations in Nutritional Status of Tribals in India: An Assessment of Intra and Inter-Tribal Population

Sayeed Unisa, Former Professor, International Institute For Population Sciences
Tamanna Taskeen, RESEARCH STUDENT

India is home to diverse cultural and ethnic groups, including tribal communities, constituting a significant portion of the country's demographic landscape. Investigating the nutritional status of tribal children and women is crucial for addressing health disparities and informing targeted interventions. Existing studies on tribal populations primarily focus on scheduled tribes or specific tribal groups (Banik, 2010), while comprehensive, tribe-specific and region-specific data on nutrition and health remain largely unavailable. Consequently, an overarching understanding of tribal nutritional status remains limited. This study aims to examine inter-tribal variations in nutritional status across India, generating evidence on nutrition-related disparities and health conditions among tribal women. The findings will contribute to understanding the role of genetic factors, dietary patterns, and healthcare access in shaping nutritional outcomes. Secondary data from the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS) was utilised, providing nutrition-related information categorised by tribal identity. The analysis revealed notable differences in anthropometric measures, with tribes in Odisha, including Ho and Santhal, exhibiting the lowest average height. In contrast, the Nicobarese demonstrated the highest height among the 65 tribes assessed. The results highlight the need for tribal-specific nutritional interventions tailored to the distinct needs of each state, ensuring effective and equitable health strategies for India’s tribal populations.

Keywords: Health and Morbidity, The Demography of Indigenous Populations, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Population Policies

See paper.

  Presented in Session 109. Indigenous Populations and Health Inequities