Contribution of natural food environments to nutritional intake and biomarker status: insights from the women of indigenous santhal communities of Jharkhand, India.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many indigenous communities reside in biodiverse environments replete with natural food sources but show ​poor access and utilization.

Methods

To understand the links between indigenous food access, dietary intakes, and biomarkers, we conducted a cross-sectional study among women of the Santhal Community (n = 211) from 17 villages in the Godda district of Jharkhand, India. Survey methods included household surveys, dietary intake assessment (24 HDR) and micronutrient and inflammatory biomarkers' estimation.

Results

The diversity in access to foods from different natural sources expressed as Food access diversity index was low. This led to poor consumption and thus a low Minimum Dietary Diversity. The mean nutrient intake was less than the estimated average

SUBMITTER: Singh A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9881317 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature