Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2018) 7(9): 3170-3183 3170 Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.709.395 Nutritional Health Status of Rural Tribal Children in Khowai District of Tripura, India Manabika Debbarma, Lord Litan Debbarma and Dipak Nath* Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Divyodaya, Khowai, P.O. Chebri, Dist. Khowai, PIN 799207, Tripura, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction According to 2011 census, the total population of India was 121 crores. Among them the total tribal population was 84,326,240 and most of them belong to low Socio-economic status. The second smallest Sub-Himalayan hilly state named Tripura situated in the north-east region of India consists of Nine-teen classified tribal population. The total population of Tripura was 36, 71,032 (According to 2011 Census). Among them the total tribal population was 9, 93,426. Mostly they were situated in rural area. The rural tribal International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 09 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Under nutrition is a major public health problem among school children. Adequate nutrition is critical for optimal growth and health development of children. To assess the nutritional health of rural tribal 6-12 years school going children of Khowai district, Tripura. The sample for the present cross sectional study was conducted in three schools (Sukhiabari Jr. B School, R.S Colony Sr. B School and Kalidas Debbarma Smriti Sr. B School) rural based primary and Sr. B School of Khowai district, Tripura, in India. Total of 155 students (78 boys and 77 girls) of aged 6-12 years were participated in the study. The sample was selected by cluster random sampling method. The subjects consisted mostly from families of lower socio-economic class of Hindu and some were from Christian community and are consisted to be by typical of average Indian children. The children were assessed for nutritional status by clinical examination as well as anthropometric assessment. Weight and height of the children were measured and height-for-age (stunting), weight-for-height (wasting) and weight-for-age (under weight) were calculated. Out of 155 numbers of school children, wasting was found in 53.83% boys and 72.71% girls out of which 16.12% children showed severe degree of wasting. Stunting was found in 37% boys and 58.44%. Rice consumption, family size, infection, vaccination, latrine availability were significantly associated with malnutrition. Hair changes were seen in 80.64%. Teeth changes were seen in 56.12%. Skin changes were noted in 65.80% children. The study provided evidence that school children in Sukhiabari village were under acute and chronic nutritional stress. Promoting appropriate dietary habits through effective nutritional education would be an effective preventive method. Main focus should be on qualitative and quantitative impartment on the diets with increased awareness on importance of preventing under-nutrition. Under-nutrition was pronounced in girls as compared to boys. Keywords Nutritional health status, Malnutrition, Rural tribal children, Khowai district Accepted: 20 August 2018 Available Online: 10 September 2018 Article Info