Anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status of Kondh: a tribal population of Kandhmal District, Orissa, India

A cross-sectional study, using body mass index (BMI), was undertaken to describe the anthropometric profile and nutritional status of the Desia Kondh, a tribal population of Orissa, India, which is characterized by rural poverty. A total of 326 (male = 154 and female = 172) adult (aged > or = 18 years) Kondh (Desia Kondh) from three villages were studied. Approximately 16% of males and 26% of females were severely thin (BMI < 16.0). Overall, the extent of undernutrition (BMI < 18.5) was found to be very high (> 75%), with prevalence of undernutrition in men and women of 74.5% and 76.6%, respectively. There was a significantly, p < 0.05, greater proportion of females in the lowest BMI groups. There was also a significant, p < 0.01, positive association between monthly income and BMI. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a high proportion of adult undernutrition and indicates a need for nutrition intervention programmes among the Kondh.