A major part of Odisha’s Significantly Susceptible Tribal Teams (PVTG) suffers from anemia, affecting over 37% of grownup males and 53% of grownup ladies, whereas indicators reminiscent of blood stress and random blood sugar ranges point out an early onset of metabolic danger, in response to a Utkal College examine revealed on Monday (20 July 2026).
“The expansion, vitamin and well being profile of Odisha’s PVTG displays a fancy interaction of dietary deficiencies, new life-style modifications, elevated metabolic dangers and protracted well being inequalities,” the examine stated.
Based on the college, the multidisciplinary examine lined 10 of the 13 PVTGs in Odisha, specifically Bonda, Didai, Dongria Khanda, Kutia Khanda, Juan, Paudi Bhuiya, Hill Kalia, Mankidia, Lodha and Ranjia Saora communities throughout tribal-dominated districts of Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Keonjhar and Deogarh. Mayurbhani and Gajapati. Researchers surveyed 9,222 individuals from 2,041 PVTG households.
The examine launched by Governor Hari Babu Kambapati stated it highlighted the excessive prevalence of anemia amongst grownup male members of the PVTG in Odisha, with important intra-group variations and a average general anemia burden.
“Of the 1,015 grownup males surveyed, 36.95 per cent have been anemic. This means that greater than a 3rd of this inhabitants has dietary deficiencies or underlying well being situations that have an effect on hemoglobin ranges. Among the many tribes, males from Mankidia (59.18 per cent) and Bonda (56.30 per cent) had surprisingly excessive charges of anemia, considerably greater than the general common,” the examine stated.
“Extreme dietary challenges have been recognized, probably associated to restricted dietary variety, insufficient iron consumption, recurrent infections, or parasite infestations. Elevated anemia ranges have been additionally noticed in males of Rhoda (47.32%) and Rangia saola (39.26%), indicating an pressing want for focused dietary interventions and improved healthcare entry,” the examine stated.
“This report is strictly the sort of evidence-based, field-based analysis that universities must be producing. It gives coverage makers with a transparent image of the present state of the PVTG neighborhood – its strengths and vulnerabilities,” stated Chandi Prasad Nanda, Vice Chancellor of Utkal College.
“Greater than half of grownup ladies have anemia, excessive charges of childhood stunting, and a 59% house supply charge exhibit that primary maternal and baby care and dietary care continues to not persistently attain these communities,” stated Prasanna Kumar Patra, Coordinator, Heart for Analysis on Tribal and Marginalized Communities (CoE-STMC).
“Given the excessive diploma of cultural variety amongst communities, most of the challenges and desires of tribal persons are largely related, however a single one-size-fits-all resolution is not going to assist. PVTG-specific and culturally delicate improvement plans are wanted to handle points reminiscent of schooling, livelihood, language revitalization and well being,” stated Subhendu Kumar Acharya, scientist at ICMR Regional Medical Analysis Heart (RMRC), Bhubaneswar.
“The alarming prevalence of stunting amongst feminine adolescents within the 10 PVTG districts of Odisha is alarming. The general prevalence is 50.74%, indicating that greater than half of all feminine adolescents within the surveyed PVTG communities are affected by power undernutrition. This determine is even greater than that amongst males,” the examine reveals.
“Among the many PVTGs, Haria Hills has the very best prevalence of stunting at 82.76%, a distressing determine that represents a significant public well being emergency, adopted by Paudi Bhuiyan at 72.73% and Juan at 53.49%, the place greater than half of adolescent women are stunted, indicating extended malnutrition throughout their early life,” it added.
“These statistics exhibit the pressing want for focused interventions targeted on adolescent women, together with school-based vitamin applications, anemia management, and reproductive well being schooling,” the examine stated.
The researchers highlighted that the general prevalence of thinness, which signifies acute dietary deficiencies, was 30.88%. This statistic suggests that just about one in three younger individuals is affected by malnutrition, attributable to power meals insecurity, irregular consuming habits, and restricted entry to well being companies for adolescents in tribal areas.
“Among the many tribal teams, Didai (48.15%), Lodha (44.74%), Hill Kalia (40%) and Bonda (36%) have surprisingly excessive charges of underweight, highlighting the prevalence of acute malnutrition. Dietary interventions, particularly youth-specific feeding applications and lively dietary monitoring, are urgently wanted in these communities,” they level out.
issued – July 21, 2026 3:32 AM IST
