2024, Vol. 6, Issue 12, Part B

In India, indigenous communities face significant nutritional vulnerabilities, with indigenous women bearing a disproportionate burden. Studies and surveys done in Chhattisgarh consistently report poor nutritional outcomes among indigenous communities. This review article focused on the nutritional profile of indigenous women in Chhattisgarh by analyzing studies published between 2010 and 2022. Additionally, references cited in the retrieved articles were reviewed to identify other relevant publications. Key aspects include their food and nutrient intakes, dietary diversity, traditional food consumption, and anthropometric status. Indigenous women of reproductive age in Chhattisgarh face significant nutritional challenges, impacting maternal and child health outcomes. This meta-analysis synthesizes data from multiple studies to provide an integrated view of diet quality, nutritional adequacy, and anthropometric status among this population.

Deficits in dietary intake were observed across multiple food groups. Consumption of pulses, green leafy vegetables, fruits, vegetables, flesh foods, and dairy products fell below the recommended dietary intakes (RDIs) for moderately active Indian women (National Institute of Nutrition, 2020). Limited studies documented indices of diet quality, revealing poor dietary diversity and low consumption of diverse traditional foods. A high risk of nutritional inadequacy was reported across communities, particularly for iron, calcium, and vitamin A. Chronic energy deficiency was prevalent in most communities, alongside a dual burden of malnutrition observed among indigenous women in the northeastern region (Indian Council of Medical Research, 2019).

The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve nutritional status among indigenous women. Policymakers and program implementers can leverage these insights to design community-specific strategies addressing dietary deficits, enhancing access to diverse and nutritious foods, and mitigating malnutrition in this vulnerable population.