Nutritional Status and its Concomitants of Two Contrasting Occupational Groups: A Study on Santal Community of Birbhum District, West Bengal, India

Article Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Online Journal of Health and Allied Sciences

Abstract

Background: It is well documented that nutritional status is essential for better productivity and overall health and well-being of the population and the nation at large. However, a large section of workers particularly in developing countries were still lagging behind the satisfactory level in nutritional condition that needs to be addressed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the nutritional status and its concomitants between two contrasting occupational groups. Methods: Cross-sectional data on selected anthropometric, socio-economic variables, energy intake and expenditure were collected from 204 adult Santal participants, who were engaged as stone mine work and agricultural work. Results: Most of the anthropometric traits were similar between two groups, irrespective of sex except MUAC, WC and HC were greater among stone mine workers compared to the agricultural workers. Around 27% of males and 60% females of stone mine workers and around 40% of males and 34% females of agricultural workers suffer from chronic energy deficiency. Nutritional status of stone mine workers was influenced by education and calorie expenditure. Again, nutritional status of agricultural workers was influenced by economic condition and calorie expenditure. Conclusion: The study indicated that a considerable number of participants irrespective of occupation suffer from chronic energy deficiency. Education, economic condition and calorie expenditure of the participants are likely to influence nutritional status of both the labourer population.

Publication Date

1-1-2021

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