Food Consumption Pattern and Nutritional Status of Tribal Adolescents (Aged 10-18 Years) in Palghar District of Maharashtra

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical phase of growth and development, and nutritional inadequacies during this period can have long-term health implications. Tribal populations remain particularly vulnerable due to socio-economic and environmental disparities. This study aimed to assess the nutritional status, dietary intake, food consumption patterns, and hemoglobin levels of tribal adolescents in Palghar district, Maharashtra. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 197 tribal adolescents aged 10–18 years, using random sampling. Data collection included socio-demographic profiling, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI), BMI-for-age Z-scores, and Height-for- Age Z-scores (HAZ), Total body fat %. A 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire were used to evaluate dietary intake and food consumption. Hemoglobin levels were measured in a subsample. Statistical analysis involved ANOVA and Chi-square tests to assess age and gender differences. Results: Undernutrition was widespread, with a high prevalence of thinness and stunting, particularly among girls and those aged 13–15 years. Energy and micronutrient intake (iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12) fell significantly below recommended levels, despite adequate protein intake. Cold, cough, and fatigue were common health complaints across all age groups.Anemia was more prevalent among girls. Meal-skipping, frequent consumption of processed foods, and poor awareness of unhealthy food choices were also noted. Conclusion: Tribal adolescents in Palghar face significant nutritional deficits, driven by chronic undernutrition, inadequate dietary practices, and limited nutrition literacy. Girls and mid- adolescents are especially at risk. There is an urgent need for culturally appropriate, school- and community-based interventions to improve nutritional intake, raise awareness, and reduce anemia and related morbidities.

Introduction

The study focuses on understanding the food habits, nutritional status, and hemoglobin levels of tribal adolescents in Palghar district, Maharashtra. Scheduled Tribes (STs) represent a significant and culturally diverse population in India, with unique traditions, languages, and food practices. Their diets mainly depend on locally available agricultural products, forest foods, millets, fruits, roots, and seasonal resources. However, environmental changes, modernization, and increasing consumption of processed foods have affected traditional food systems and nutritional security.

Adolescence (10–19 years) is a critical stage of rapid physical, psychological, and social development, requiring increased energy, protein, and micronutrient intake. Tribal adolescents face several challenges such as poverty, limited access to healthcare, food insecurity, migration, gender inequalities, traditional food restrictions, and inadequate dietary diversity, increasing their risk of malnutrition, anemia, and poor growth.

The study highlights that malnutrition among tribal adolescents can occur as both undernutrition and overnutrition, but undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies remain major concerns. Iron deficiency anemia is especially common due to increased iron requirements during puberty, low intake of iron-rich foods, poor absorption, infections, and dietary limitations.

Need and Aim of the Study

The study was conducted to assess:

• Food consumption patterns of tribal adolescents
• Nutritional status using anthropometric measurements
• Hemoglobin levels to identify anemia risk

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2025 to January 2026 in tribal areas of Palghar district. A total of 197 tribal adolescents (92 boys and 105 girls), aged 10–19 years, participated.

Data collection included:

• Socio-demographic information
• Socio-economic assessment using the Modified Kuppuswamy Scale
• Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, WHR, body fat percentage)
• Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)
• 24-hour dietary recall
• Hemoglobin estimation through blood testing

Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS with tests such as ANOVA, Chi-square, t-test, and Pearson correlation.

Major Findings

• Most participants belonged to the Warli tribe and came from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
• A large number of adolescents lived far from schools, often depending on walking or limited transport facilities.
• Despite having multiple earning members, many families remained economically disadvantaged due to low-income occupations.
• Anthropometric results showed that BMI, height, and weight improved with age, but many adolescents remained below healthy nutritional standards.

Among girls:

• Younger girls (10–12 years) showed high levels of severe thinness and undernutrition.
• BMI increased with age, but many remained underweight.
• Body fat percentage and waist-to-hip ratio showed no major changes, indicating limited improvement in nutritional status.

Among boys:

• Similar patterns of low BMI and undernutrition were observed.
• Boys aged 13–15 years showed particularly low body fat percentage, possibly due to increased physical activity and higher nutritional demands.
• Older boys showed some improvement but still had nutritional deficiencies.

Conclusion

The study reveals that tribal adolescents in Palghar experience significant nutritional challenges due to poverty, limited food diversity, inadequate nutrient intake, and restricted access to health resources. Persistent thinness, low BMI, and possible anemia risk indicate the need for targeted nutrition programs. Interventions should focus on: Improving access to nutritious foods Promoting traditional healthy food practices Increasing awareness about balanced diets Strengthening anemia prevention programs Providing adolescent-specific nutrition and health services

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Copyright © 2026 Mrs. Roshni Jayant Dange, Ms. Shaheen Nagori. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.