IMPACT OF AGRO CLIMATIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC VARIABILITY ON THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF INHABITANTS In THE GARHWAL HIMALAYAS

Authors: DUTTA, ANURADHA; PANT, KIRAN; KUMAR, PRAVEEN; SINGH, R. P.

Source: Ecology of Food and Nutrition, Volume 43, Number 5, 2004 , pp. 409-420(12)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The Garhwal Himalayas are a part of a unique ecosystem, with sharp agro-climatic variations within a very small geographical area (53,485 km2). The varied agro-climatic situations result in different cropping systems and socio-economic lifestyles that could likely affect the nutritional status of the people living in this region. This article will attempt to explore the impact of these variables (namely, age, family size, education, income, calorie and protein intake, land holding, number of animals, and wheat production) on the body mass index (BMI) of the population residing in the Garhwal Hills. A total of 1,030 subjects were studied from the three agro-climatic zones (406 from the high hills, 292 from the mid hills, and 332 from the low hills). It has been found that the people living in the high hills are the most undernourished, as the lowest percentage of people (52.6 per cent) with an acceptable BMI and the highest percentage of people in the severely malnourished category (11.1 per cent) are found here. People living in urban areas have a better nutritional status. Correlation studies show that the nutritional status of the population improves with age, literacy levels, and small family size. In some cases, calorie and protein intake have a positive impact on the health of the people, whereas size of land holding, number of animals, and income of the family do not have any significant influence on nutritional status.

Keywords: Garhwal Himalayas; high hills; mid hills; low hills; body mass index; nutritional status; gender difference; correlation studies

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03670240490500325

Affiliations: 1: G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttaranchal, India

Publication date: 2004-01-01

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