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'Sudip DB, Raj KB, Maity S, Sukul T, Roy V, 2009: Ethnic variation in anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status: a comparative study among adult male Oraons and Saraks of Ranchi District, Jharkhand, India. Anthropologie (Brno) 47, 1-2: 95-106'. |
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| Abstract | | A cross-sectional study was undertaken to investigate the ethnic variation and age-related changes in anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status among the adult males (18 years and above) of two endogamous populations, the Oraon tribe (n=290), and the Saraks (n=158), a comparatively less known caste group in the Ranchi District of the state of Jharkhand in India. The anthropometric characteristics (stature, body weight, mid-upper arm circumference or MUAC, waist circumference and hip circumference), derived index (body mass index or BMI) and ratio (waist-hip ratio or WHR) were categorized in three different age groups (18-39 years, 40-59 years and 60 years and above). Significant differences (p<0.0001) were observed (measured by student t-test) in mean values of anthropometric variables viz. body weight, BMI and hip circumference between the two studied samples. However, results displayed no significant difference in stature and a moderately significant difference in WHR (p<0.01) between the two sections. This particular investigation recorded high frequency of undernutrition (chronic energy deficiency or CED 53.10% among the Oraons and 27.85% among the Saraks), as measured by the WHO (1995) recommended values of BMI for the adults. It has been noted that 38.28% of the adult Oraons and 20.89% of the adult Saraks suffer from undernutrition when the nutritional status of the two communities is evaluated by the standard cut-off points of MUAC. Pearson correlations of BMI and MUAC with age exhibited significantly (p<0.01) negative correlations among the Oraons and not significant among the Saraks. However, WHR showed highly significant (p<0.0001) and positive correlations with age among the Oraons, which is moderately significant (p<0.01) among the Saraks. In most of the cases (except between MUAC and WHR), correlations between BMI, MUAC and WHR in both the populations showed high significance (p<0.0001). Significant age-related variations (tested by one-way ANOVA) in anthropometric parameters were observed in both the populations. Linear regression analyses revealed more or less significant negative impact of age on BMI and MUAC in both the populations. However, age appears to have significantly positive influence on WHR in these two ethnic groups. Very high rates of undernutrition at all ages and even a worse situation of the nutritional status declining with age are recorded for both the Oraons and the Saraks. Immediate attention to adequate food and nutrient supplementation is required for these two populations. | | | | Keywords | | Body mass index - Chronic energy deficiency - Mid-upper arm circumference - Waist-hip ratio - Age trend | | |
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