Abstract:Background: According to the National Family Health Survey 4, 25.6% of rural population is below 15 years of age. In spite of various kinds of policies and programs they remain the most excluded and live in miserable conditions due to various factors such as geographical isolation, poor healthcare delivery systems, beliefs and customs.
Objective: To assess the nutritional intake of Warli tribe children using 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire and comparing it with Recommended dietary allowance.
Methodology: Cross sectional study involving 300 children (150 Boys and 150 girls) of age group 10-15 years were interviewed and a questionnaire relating food frequency and diet was asked using 24-hour dietary recall. Random sampling method was used. The study was completed in 3 months.
Result: Higher consumption of energy, protein, carbohydrates, fats, calcium and iron was seen in girls (p< 0.05). Consumption of food groups like cereals, vegetables, pulses was found to be more in boys (p< 0.05).
Conclusion: The tribal children were found to be extremely undernourished. Higher consumption of outside food than home-made ones. Nutritional awareness amongst them is to be provided.
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