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Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): Volume 5, Issue 3, Year 2025

Short Communication

Prevalence of Malnutrition Among JenuKuruba (A PVTG) and HakkiPikki (A Schedule Tribe) Community in Karnataka

  • Rajani Annangadan,
  • Trimalapura Thimmanagouda Basavanagouda
Rajani Annangadan
Department of Anthropology, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
Trimalapura Thimmanagouda Basavanagouda
Department of Anthropology, Karnatak University, Dharwad, Karnataka, India
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk25310

Published 22-12-2025

Keywords

  • Tribal Health,
  • Nutritional Transition,
  • Undernutrion and Obesity,
  • Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

How to Cite

Annangadan, R., & Basavanagouda, T. T. (2025). Prevalence of Malnutrition Among JenuKuruba (A PVTG) and HakkiPikki (A Schedule Tribe) Community in Karnataka. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 5(3), 73–77. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk25310

Copyright (c) 2025 Rajani Annangadan, Trimalapura Thimmanagouda Basavanagouda

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Introduction: Tribal communities in India, particularly the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), face a dual burden of malnutrition due to rapid socio-economic and lifestyle transitions. The paper aims to assess and compare the prevalence of undernutrition and obesity among two tribal groups of Karnataka—JenuKuruba and HakkiPikki. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among n=430 adults (JenuKuruba = 210, HakkiPikki = 220). Anthropometric measurements were taken, and BMI was computed. The nutritional status was classified according to the WHO–Asian Indian BMI cut-offs. Results: Among JenuKuruba had a significantly higher prevalence of underweight (26.2%) and lower obesity levels (approximately 12%). In contrast, HakkiPikki, the prevalence of underweight was 4.1%, while overweight and obesity combined accounted for nearly 80%. HakkiPikki are undergoing a nutrition transition with high obesity prevalence, whereas JenuKuruba continue to experience undernutrition. Conclusion: These contrasting patterns highlight the need for tribe-specific health interventions.

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