Anthropometric indices and nutritional deficiency signs in preschool children of the Pahariya tribe of the Rajmahal Hills, Bihar

The nutritional status of preschool children of the three sects of the Pahariya tribe (Rajmahal Hills, Bihar) was studied with the help of anthropometric indices like weight for age, height for age, weight for height und nutritional deficiency signs. The correlation between age and nutritional indices showed that the relationship was significant for % expected weight for age in the male children of all the three sects; r = +0.70 in Saurias, r = +0.32 in Mals and r = -0.72 in Kumarbhags (p > 0.01). Significant relationships were also observed in the correlations between weight for height in both sexes. Based on height for age and weight/height2 (Body Mass Index, BMI), 89% of the children of the Saurias, 92% of the Mals and 93% of the Kumarbhags were malnourished. Height for age of 50% of the children of the Pahariyas were below the 3rd percentile or below 90% of the Harvard standard. Chronic and current severe forms of malnutrition (i.e. height for age below 3rd percentile of standard and BMI 13.5) was highest in the Kumarbhags (17.5%). According to the modified Waterlow's classification chronic and current severe forms of malnutrition (i.e. height for age below 3rd percentile of the National Centre for Health Statistics, NCHS, and weight for height less than 80% of the standard) was highest in the Saurias (21.6%) and least in the Kumarbhags (15.4%). Kwashiorkor and marasmus for all the children of the Pahariyas ranged between 0.5-1.4% and 1.5-5.2%, respectively. Associated with signs of Protein Caloric Malnutrition (PCM), like moon face, dyspigmentation, sparseness and easy pluckability were more prevalent in all the three sects of the Pahariyas. Ocular manifestation of vitamin-A deficiency like conjunctiva xerosis and Bitos' spots were also frequent among these children.