Nutritional Assessment of the Warli Tribals of Maharashtra State

Over the last few decades the subject of Anthropology has evolved from a mere descriptive phase to analytical phase and further to interpretative phase. In this process many sub disciplines have modified their approach also in order to cops up with newer methodology. An integrative approach used in the present study is mainly to focus on the aim of the assessment, evaluation and interpretation of health, nutrition and child growth aspects of Warli tribal community of Maharashtra. The analysis described in this article I) explore the role of anthropometry to check the validity and efficiency of measurements in predicting complications and outcome of nutrition. 2) derives the determinants of under nutrition and their extent. 3) estimates nutrient intake and the consumption pattern and 4) highlight treatment, intervention and prevention strategies For this study the methods include anthropometry, clinical signs of malnutrition, haemoglobinopathy, diet and socio-economic survey and health culture and in-depth interviews. A sample of 1553 children (808 male and 745 female) in a 4 to 10 year's age range comprises approximately 515 families. Low calorie intake, food scarcity, lack of clean and hygienic drinking water, poor health care facilities and poor communication were some of the concluding results. Nutrition education, provision of safe drinking water facility, community involvement and participation in various programmers, monitoring and surveillance of growth and nutrition were some of the recommendations.