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The study entitled “Nutritional profile of preschool children belonging to tribal families in Thrissur district” was conducted to know the socio-economic status and food consumption pattern of the tribal families. The study also assessed the dietary habits and nutritional status of preschool children belonging to the age group of 4 to 6 years. Sample consisted of 75 preschool children of 4 to 6 years in the tribal areas of Thrissur district. The subset of tribal and non tribal families constituting 15 tribals and 25 non tribals were used for comparative evaluation of anthropometric measurements, clinical examination, food weighment and haemoglobin estimation.
Nuclear family system was found in most of the families. All the families were literate. All the families lived in their own houses and majority had 2 rooms (68.00 %) with mud flooring (58.67 %) and terraced roofing (70.67%). Majority of the families earned a monthly income between Rs. 1000 - 2000. Majority of the children had low birth weight of less than 2.5 kg. Sixty four per cent of the children suffered from various types of diseases during the last one year. Immunization of the children was ascertained.
Food consumption survey revealed that all of them were habitual non vegetarians with rice as their staple food. Pulses, roots and tubers and other vegetables were included frequently in their daily diet and the use of green leafy vegetables, milk and milk products and fruits were occasional.
Different grades of malnutrition were identified among the children using anthropometric indicators. The mean height and weight of the preschool children were lower than the ICMR standards and the deviations were statistically significant. It was also found that the boys were taller and heavier than the girls. Mean head circumference, chest circumference and MU AC in comparison with NFI standards were significantly lower in boys as well as girls. Height for age which reflects the past nutritional status was normal only in 35.70 per cent boys and 27.70 per cent girls. The present nutritional status of the child represented by the weight for age showed mild and moderate malnourishment in 78.60 per cent boys and 87.20 per cent girls. The Quetelet index also showed prevalence of malnutrition in 60.71 per cent boys and 59.57 per cent girls.

The nutritional status of the tribal preschool children was compared with the non tribal children and the tribal children were found to be more malnourished than the non tribal children. The mean height, weight, head circumference, chest circumference and MUAC were lower in all the children, with the tribes having lower measurements than the non tribals. The height for age, weight for age and Quetelet index showed higher level of malnutrition in tribal children as against the non tribal children.
Food weighment survey was also carried out to know the actual food and nutrient intake. The actual food and nutrient intake asserted that all the children had an intake lesser than the RDA. Gross deficit in the intake of certain food groups such as milk and fruits and nutrients such as iron, vitamin A and vitamin C were noticed among all the preschool children. The food and nutrient intake of tribal children were lower than that of the non tribal children. Mild anaemia was noticed among 66.67 per cent of tribal and 40 per cent of non tribal children.
Food security among the tribal families recorded as per USDA module revealed 64 per cent of the families as food secure and 32 per cent of the families as food insecure without hunger and 4 per cent as food insecure with moderate hunger.
The present study thus assure the fact that malnourishment is still a major concern among the tribal preschool children.