ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF ADULT THARU: A TRIBAL POPULATION OF UTTARAKHAND, INDIA
An anthropological investigation, probably the first attempt of its kind among the Tharu population (176 adult individuals including 87 males and 89 females) in the district of Udham Sing Nagar of Uttarakhand, India shows significant variation of systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MBP) as well as the prevalence of Hypertension (HT) with reference to different nutritional status. The body mass index (BMI) was computed following the standard equation. Under-nutrition, overweight and obesity were defined following the internationally accepted BMI cut-off points. Results revealed that overall rates of under-nutrition, overweight and obesity were 22.2%, 9.7% and 4.5 % respectively. On the basis of waist to hip ratio (WHR) 29% adult Tharus were at high risk to obesity. Furthermore, it was also observed that 47.2% were at Pre Hypertension stage regardless of sex. However, such data should be substantiated by independent risks of adverse health outcomes that need for appropriate nutritional intervention programs for implementation not only among the Tharus but also to the other Tribal populations living across the length and breadth of India