Vol. 11, Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Jhunilata Bhuyan and Dr. Sasmita Behera

Abstract:
The population of Lodha people in Odisha is estimated to be around 9088 people (2011 census), with the majority of them living in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Malnutrition, inadequate consumption of protein and energy rich diet as well as deficiencies in the key micronutrients such as iodine, vitamin A and iron are the major factors in the occurrence morbidity and mortality of Lodha tribal women in Mayurbhanj district. Though vegetables are well known as the most important source of these micronutrients, yet the per capita vegetable consumption in selected villages of Lodha inhibiting areas was very low. The present study was conducted in 2019-20 and 2020-21 to study the impact of Nutritional garden on the health status of the Lodha tribal women, so that it will be helpful for planning and monitoring Programmes for the betterment of Lodha Tribal women. The study was covering a sample of 300 Lodha tribal women of Moroda, Suliapada, Baripada and Shamakhunta block. Study reveals that the nutritional garden results a positive attitude in the Lodha tribal women towards changes in health status of their family members. The intervention of Nutritional garden has a significant impact on the haemoglobin status, occurrence of the diseases such as osteoporosis, eye disease, constipation, joint pain, scurvey and clinical symptoms such as, general appearance, hair, eye, face, teeth and gum. The rest of the parameters were found to be statistically non-significant with the intervention of Nutritional garden.