Intertribal variation with respect to BMI: A Study on tribal Women of Bastar, Chhattisgarh. India

Abstract

Body mass index (BMI) is the most established indicator to assess nutritional status. The aim of the present study is to determine variation between Bhatra and Dhurwa women of Bastar, Chhattisgarh with respect to BMI and also to evaluate variation in magnitude of BMI in relation to socio-anthropometric determinants. Anthropometric data from290 Bhatra women and 207 Dhurwa women of reproductive age group were collected cross-sectionally and BMI is calculated in relation to the socio-economic status of tribal women. BMI is determined by measuring the weight and height of selected respondents by using standard techniques. Result reveals that Bhatra women are slightly heavier and taller than Dhurwa women. The mean BMI is found to be higher in Bhatra women (19.98± 0.15 Kg/M²) than Dhurwa women (19.70±0.18 Kg/M²). The mean values of mean BMI in relation to different socio-anthropometric determinants indicate state of normal nutrition in women of both tribal groups of Bastar except women of body weight ranged 30-41Kg., sitting height vertex ranged59-66cm and height vertex ranged 160-178cm. The present study reveals that the prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (CED) is higher in Dhurwa women (31.88%) than Bhatra women (27.58%). However BMI suggested that the prevalence of obesity in Bhatra women (3.45%) is higher than Dhurwa women (2.90%). The factors like age, menarcheal age, educational status, occupational status and different anthropometric determinants showed an impact over BMI magnitude among both tribal women of Bastar. However statistical analysis indicates non-significant intergroup differences among them except women of illiterate group, sitting height vertex ranged 59-66 cm and height vertex ranged 160-178 cm.  Sources of mean BMI of various tribal women of India indicates that tribal women of Bastar are nutritionally better and show state of normal nutrition in comparison to them.