FOOD INTAKE AND DIETARY ASSESSEMENT OF BHIL TRIBE CHILDREN IN SUWANA BLOCK, BHILWARA

The present study was planned with the objective food intake and dietary assessment of Bhil tribe children in Suwana Block, Bhilwara. The study was conducted in Bhilwara district of Rajasthan state. The total sample consisted of 500 Bhil tribe children comprising of 237 boys and 263 girls aged between 4 to 12 year old in Suwana block Bhilwara. Fifty children from each village from each gram panchayat namely Bholi, Kodukota, Gurla, Jodhdas and Hameergarh (Center, East, West, North, and South) were approached. Consumption of cereals was quiet high among in Centre, East, West, North and South zone in Suwana Block. Data revealed that 100% of weekly one glass consumption of milk is given by Mid-day meal (MDM). Consumption of desi ghee in Suwana Block samities on daily, weekly and monthly basis were negligible. Consumption of other vegetables on daily basis was negligible except green chillies and tomato. Green chili and tomato were consumed by 100 per cent of families daily in Suwana Block generally as mix vegetables in dinner. Mostly children consumed banana in Mid-day Meal (MDM) in school - Once in a week distributed by Mid-day meal. The data revealed that Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) intake of children was substantially inadequate (<50%) in all food groups, whereas intake of sugar was marginally adequate (92%). The results of the study indicated that there were significant differences with respect to certain food groups (pulses, green leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, milk and milk products, fruits, sugar and egg).