Causes of Malnutrition in Scheduled Tribe Children of Dang District, Gujarat: Maternal Health and Child’s Weight at the time of Birth

Abstract

Malnutrition is a global issue, and India is not exempt from it. According to the National Family Health Survey NFHS-5 (2019-20) report, nearly half of children aged 0 to 5 years in India suffer from malnutrition. This problem is particularly severe in Gujarat, and it is even more acute among tribal children. The tribal population represents an economically, socially, and educationally disadvantaged group. The government has implemented various measures to address malnutrition in tribal areas. Researchers have identified several causes of malnutrition, including traditional customs and practices within tribal societies, ecosystem changes, maternal age at marriage and childbirth, maternal education and occupation, dietary shifts, birth spacing, and family size.