Dietary diversity and food variety as indicators of nutritional status of the elderly karbi population of Kamrup District, Assam

A study was conducted to assess the food variety and dietary diversity among elderly Karbi population of Kamrup district of Assam. The data was collected by using schedules for socio-demographic profile, food frequency, 24 hr-recall method and anthropometric measurements. A total of 154 elderly male and female population of Karbi tribe of Dimoria block of Kamrup district in the age group of 60 to 80 years were selected by using purposive random sampling method. Elderly with spinal curvatures was not encountered in the study population. Body Mass Index was determined by measuring the height and weight of the selected respondents by using standard procedures. Results revealed that the mean BMI were above 18.5 kg/m2. The results showed that the Karbi elderly population included variety of foods and dietary diversity was good. The food habits and consumption pattern, dietary intake and nutritional status of the studied Karbi elderly population was satisfactory in comparison to other tribal groups of India. Overall, it may be stated that the studied Karbi population were in good physical, mental and social health because of their conventional food habits, dietary diversity, consumption pattern and quantity of food consumed along with a conducive family environment.