Division of Public Health Nutrition, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad 500007, India.
Department of Epidemiology Statistics, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT), Chennai 600031, India.
Nutrients. 2024 Aug 14;16(16):2698. doi: 10.3390/nu16162698.
The dietary patterns and quality of diets of women of reproductive age (WRA) significantly affect their health and that of their children. The suboptimal diet among women can lead to issues such as intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, premature birth, and malnutrition. To examine the dietary patterns and nutrient intake of WRA in the indigenous communities of the tribal block in Kerala, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 20 randomly selected villages in 2022. The study involved 24 h dietary recall surveys, anthropometric measurements, and estimation of hemoglobin concentration to assess nutrient intake and nutritional status. A total of 446 women aged 15-49 from 423 households participated, with 92 households included in the diet survey. The findings indicated that the diet was primarily based on cereals and root-based starchy staples, with low consumption of dairy products, fruits, and vegetables. The estimated intakes of major nutrients, except for protein, were lower than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Nearly 50% of the WRA were malnourished. About 32% of non-pregnant and non-lactating (NPNL) women and 40% of lactating mothers suffered from chronic energy deficiency (BMI < 18.5 kg/m). Conversely, 13.4% of NPNL women and 15% of lactating mothers were overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m). A total of 12.5% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 were thin (BAZ < -2 SD), and 10.5% were overweight or obese (BAZ > +1 SD). Since the co-existence of micronutrient deficiencies and undernutrition is rooted in the socio-cultural aspects of indigenous tribes, a culturally sensitive nutrition intervention model would be appropriate for the better health and wellbeing of women in the community.
育龄妇女（WRA）的饮食模式和饮食质量对她们自身及其子女的健康有重要影响。育龄妇女的饮食不均衡可能会导致宫内发育迟缓、低出生体重、早产和营养不良等问题。为了研究喀拉拉邦部落地区土著社区育龄妇女的饮食模式和营养素摄入情况，我们于 2022 年在 20 个随机选择的村庄进行了一项横断面研究。该研究包括 24 小时膳食回忆调查、人体测量和血红蛋白浓度评估，以评估营养素摄入和营养状况。共有 446 名年龄在 15-49 岁的妇女参与了这项研究，其中 92 户家庭参与了饮食调查。结果表明，饮食主要以谷物和根茎类淀粉主食为主，奶制品、水果和蔬菜摄入量较低。除蛋白质外，主要营养素的估计摄入量均低于推荐膳食摄入量（RDA）。近 50%的育龄妇女存在营养不良。约 32%的非妊娠和非哺乳期（NPNL）妇女和 40%的哺乳期母亲患有慢性能量缺乏（BMI<18.5kg/m）。相反，13.4%的 NPNL 妇女和 15%的哺乳期母亲超重或肥胖（BMI≥25kg/m）。共有 12.5%的 15-19 岁青春期少女体重过轻（BAZ <-2SD），10.5%超重或肥胖（BAZ>+1SD）。由于微量营养素缺乏和营养不足的并存根植于土著部落的社会文化方面，因此，一种对文化敏感的营养干预模式将适合改善社区妇女的健康和福祉。
