Grades of Malnutrition among Gadaba Tribal Children of Koraput, Odisha

Nutritional status is a major determinant of the health and well-being amongst children. Developing countries like India accounts for about 40% of the undernourished children in the world and are largely due to the result of dietary inadequacy in relation to their needs. More than half of the children in India are unable to grow to their full physical and mental potential owing to their malnutrition. Under nutrition is characterized by mental and physical starvation, low weight in relation to height or other skeletal indices, diminished skin fold, exaggerated and skeletal prominences and loss of elasticity of skin. The etiology of under nutrition is associated with several related consistent factors termed as poverty syndrome. This research study aims to determine the nutritional status of Gadaba tribal children in the remote district of Koraput, Odisha and make suggestion for their wellbeing.