Food consumption and nutrition of regional tribes of India†

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Abstract
Systematic investigations of food availability, dietary patterns, nutritional levels, were initiated among aboriginal tribes in different regions in India. These studies also compared nutritional intakes to the physiological requirement of the groups as well as the influence of respective dietaries on physique, working efficiency and growth of children. The 31 tribes investigated were located in the North‐Eastern Frontier, Eastern India, the Central region, Southern states and Andaman and Nicobar islands. Samples of food and homely brewed alcoholic beverages collected during the investigation were analysed for nutrient content. The investigations provided considerable information on living conditions. A comparative study of family size, total food intakes, supplies of food energy, proteins, minerals and vitamins as well as correlations between dietary patterns and growth of children and Korperfulle index of body build revealed that 14 tribes (47 percent) were well fed and in satisfactory nutritional status, eight (23 percent) were underfed and deficient in many nutrients. Nine tribes (30 percent) lived in utmost poverty and were grossly deficient in all the nutrients and were in a state of physical degeneration and nutritional depletion. This may also be the reason for the degeneration, depletion and ultimate extinction of many regional tribes of India.

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