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Background <p>The tribal population in India is undergoing lifestyle and dietary transitions that may affect their nutritional and health status. The Toda tribe is of Dravidian origin in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu and follows unique dietary and cultural practices that may influence their nutrient intake and anthropometric profile.</p> Objectives <p>The study aims to assess the nutritional status of the Toda tribal population and to evaluate the association of socioeconomic status (SES) with nutritional adequacy.</p> Methods <p>The cross-sectional study design was employed; the sample size was calculated using Cochran’s formula, and data was collected from 352 subjects using a simple random sampling technique from a Toda tribal population aged ≥ 30 years in the Nilgiris Hills, Tamil Nadu, between February 2024 and January 2025. Data on SES were evaluated using the modified Udai Pareek scale, and the dietary data were examined using the 24-hour dietary recall method. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 27. Pearson’s correlations were used to analyse the association between SES and dietary intake.</p> Results <p>A total of 352 Toda tribal subjects comprising 173 males and 179 females. The WHO Asia-Pacific BMI classification revealed the prevalence of underweight (24.6%), overweight (29.6%), and obesity (14.0%) was significantly higher in females than in males (χ² = 20.16, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Dietary assessment revealed inadequate intake of energy, carbohydrates, fibre, iron, and calcium among both genders. Energy intake was significantly lower than the RDA (1628.6 ± 77.4&#xa0;kcal/day in males and 1622.6 ± 63.6&#xa0;kcal/day in females). A significant association was observed between SES and nutrient intake, with energy, carbohydrate, fat, and iron intake found in both genders, and SES and protein intake were significantly associated with females (<i>r</i> = 0.192, <i>p</i> = 0.043).</p> Conclusion <p>The study highlights the coexistence of undernutrition and overweight/obesity among Toda tribal adults, indicating a double burden of malnutrition. These results highlight the importance of culturally specific nutritional counselling, and periodic nutrition screening and strengthening food security with food supports through government programs to enhance the overall health outcome of the Toda community.</p>

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Association of socioeconomic status with nutritional adequacy among Toda tribe in the Nilgiris Hills Tamil Nadu

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月2日

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  • Joan Precilla Kaspar,
  • Premagowri Balakrishnan,
  • Dharmambal Palaniappan

摘要

Background

The tribal population in India is undergoing lifestyle and dietary transitions that may affect their nutritional and health status. The Toda tribe is of Dravidian origin in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu and follows unique dietary and cultural practices that may influence their nutrient intake and anthropometric profile.

Objectives

The study aims to assess the nutritional status of the Toda tribal population and to evaluate the association of socioeconomic status (SES) with nutritional adequacy.

Methods

The cross-sectional study design was employed; the sample size was calculated using Cochran’s formula, and data was collected from 352 subjects using a simple random sampling technique from a Toda tribal population aged ≥ 30 years in the Nilgiris Hills, Tamil Nadu, between February 2024 and January 2025. Data on SES were evaluated using the modified Udai Pareek scale, and the dietary data were examined using the 24-hour dietary recall method. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 27. Pearson’s correlations were used to analyse the association between SES and dietary intake.

Results

A total of 352 Toda tribal subjects comprising 173 males and 179 females. The WHO Asia-Pacific BMI classification revealed the prevalence of underweight (24.6%), overweight (29.6%), and obesity (14.0%) was significantly higher in females than in males (χ² = 20.16, p < 0.001). Dietary assessment revealed inadequate intake of energy, carbohydrates, fibre, iron, and calcium among both genders. Energy intake was significantly lower than the RDA (1628.6 ± 77.4 kcal/day in males and 1622.6 ± 63.6 kcal/day in females). A significant association was observed between SES and nutrient intake, with energy, carbohydrate, fat, and iron intake found in both genders, and SES and protein intake were significantly associated with females (r = 0.192, p = 0.043).

Conclusion

The study highlights the coexistence of undernutrition and overweight/obesity among Toda tribal adults, indicating a double burden of malnutrition. These results highlight the importance of culturally specific nutritional counselling, and periodic nutrition screening and strengthening food security with food supports through government programs to enhance the overall health outcome of the Toda community.