DIETARY ASSESSMENT OF MARWARI COMMUNITY OF JORHAT, INDIAPriyakshi Borkotoky 1, Ruma
Bhattacharyya 2 1 Piramal Swasthya Management and Research Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India2 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785 013, Assam, India |
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Received 8 November 2021 Accepted 18 December 2021 Published 31 January 2022 Corresponding Author Priyakshi
Borkotoky, priyakshiborkotoky@yahoo.com DOI 10.29121/granthaalayah.v10.i1.2022.4457 Funding:
This
research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial,
or not-for-profit sectors. Copyright:
© 2022
The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the terms of
the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are
credited. |
ABSTRACT |
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Nutritionally
animal proteins are better for its superior bioavailibity, however due to the
presence of high saturated fat content in food of animal origin, vegetarian
diets are widely considered as healthy.
But due to lack of proper information the nutritional adequacy of
vegetarian diet followed by different communities is still uncertain. The
Marwari is a strict ethnic vegetarian community of Indian, originated from
Rajasthan, India. Due to business purpose a fraction of the Marwari community
migrated to and residing at Jorhat, India. In view of lack of information on
nutritional status of this particular community, a study was conducted to
determine their nutrient intakes and variability in diets and dietary risk
factors, weighing against similar values among Marwaries residing in
Rajasthan. Total 200 samples were randomly selected and information on
demographic profile, anthropometry, dietary habit, and health status of the
sample population were collected with the help of an interview schedule and a
pretested food frequency questionnaire. Findings were presented as percentage
or mean with standard error. The food culture of the Assamese Marwari community
is established within the traditional Marwari diet frame with strict
vegetarianism and high fat diet, mostly contributed by clarified butter or desi
ghee. However, the diet of the sample population was influenced by
dissimilarity in agro climatic condition between Rajasthan and Assam. This
study evaluates the dietary pattern, influence of environmental factor on
traditional diet pattern due to migration and prevalence of risk factors of
coronary heart and/or other non-communicable diseases among the sample
population. |
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Keywords: Marwari,
Vegetarian, Dietary Pattern, Food Intake 1. INTRODUCTION Dietary culture,
analysis of food components, foods and dietary patterns of a population
confirms the association between dietary practice of the community and
health. Earlier, the link of a particular food component with any disease
would give more importance and experiments are carried out on multiple
diverse populations to establish the nutrient and disease relation for policy
interventions. In this regard, instead
of studying the effect of particular dietary pattern on health, more emphasis
has been given on the food component or nutrient. This is a limited approach
of gathering knowledge on comprehensive benefits of a particular food’s
component in different situations only as the action of that particular food
component on health may differ bases on its interactions with other food
components present in the whole food or dietary practice David et al. (2011). In last few
years, dietary analysis had been materialized as a substitute and
complementary approach to find out the risk of health particularly NCD
associating with diet in a community Rosemary et al. (2016). Dietary
pattern |
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evaluation and analysis signify a broader picture of food and nutrient consumption and their impacts on dietary parameters of a population Moreiras et al. (2010). But correct measurement of food and nutrient intake is decisive in a nutrition assessment study. This is because it can be used as markers to analyse the quality of diet intake Kerver et al. (2006) and probable associated risk of diet induced health problems. For example, diet is a modifiable risk factor of NCD and occurrence probability of NCD may be determined by exploring the dietary habit of an individual or community.
Dietary habit or
meal pattern of a family or community normally develops over several
generations and dictated by the geographic region, religion, etc. Mudambi
and Rajagopal (2009).
This is the main reason for existence of common ailments in a particular
society or community. Environmental changes, food production pattern alteration
and time might be factors for gradually modification in a traditional meal
pattern. For instance, India has experienced a notable transformation in nutrition
scenario in last few decades along with alteration in agricultural field.
Correspondingly this has changed the disease pattern in the country. Similarly
study of dietary pattern of immigrant population confirms dietary modification
due to environmental changes and these modifications were associated with their
health-related issues Hu (2002).
These environmental changes control the sources of food production,
availability, and distribution and affects food procurement, the type of meals
prepared at home. So, it is essential to study the nutritional status, dietary habits, food availability of
any migrated populations who have different social and environmental exposures
from the parent population Singh
et al. (2007).
The Marwari is a major vegetarian community of India
originated from Marwar in Rajasthan. The word Marwar is derived from the Sanskrit
word 'Maruwat' which means 'the region of desert. People in Rajasthan use
minimum water and prefer milk, butter milk, and clarified butter due to the
geographical condition. The main profession of Marwari people is business and
for this reason they accustomed to migrated to different places to expand their
trade. But generally, it is observed that in spite of their new address Marwari
people stick to their traditional Rajasthani food habit. Rajasthani foods are mostly popular for use
of high amount of clarified butter or desi
ghee in all recipes. This might be an associated aspect of prevalence of various
coronary risk factors such as Diabetes (history), Hypertension, Obesity (BMI)
and Truncal obesity at the rate 04%, 13.2% 10.9% and 20.8%, respectively among
rural population of Central Rajasthan Gupta
et al. (1994). A sizeable
section of Marwari people is settled in Jorhat Town of Assam, India. Till date
no afford has been made to explore their health and nutritional status though
it is essential as per public health nutrition standpoint.
So, in view of scanty information on health and
nutritional status of Marwari people settled in Jorhat, Assam, this study was
carried out to elicit information on their food habit, its relation to
health and presence of any risk factors of NCD and CHD primarily. The study also appraises the impact of
environmental factor on traditional diet pattern due to migration among the
sample population.
2. METHODS
2.1. SAMPLE SELECTION
Total 200 samples irrespective of sex and age between 25 to 65years were selected from 4 municipal wards of Jorhat town belonging to Marwari community by the purposive random sampling method. An interview schedule was formulated to elicit information on socioeconomic background (name, sex, age, income, profession, working hours, educational level, marital status, etc.) and the medical history of the sample population was drawn out by direct interview method.
2.2. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed
based on information received through focused group analysis on food items
reported to be used by the sample population and pre-tested. This FFQ was used to get detail information
on diet consumed Sarma
(2001),Rosemary et al. (2016),Coulston et al. (2012). In order to avoid any
possible under and/or overestimation by the FFQ, estimates were compared with
the 24 hours weighed records using a portable weighing balance, measuring
spoons and cup. This was done to presume the approximately accurate portion
size information on each food item and minimize dietary information error. The
portion size information was used to calculate the nutrient intakes using the
standard nutritive value of Indian food items Hearty
and Gibney (2008),Gopalan et al. (2009),Pasricha (2000) for energy, protein
and fat. Results of nutrient intakes were compared with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) ICMR (2011) for Indians. Percentages of
respondents and mean values with standard error of means against each indicator
were calculated for presentation of findings. Existence of any risk factors of
metabolic diseases is presented in percentage.
2.3. ANTHROPOMETRY
The
Body Mass Index (BMI) is an internationally accepted standard and objective
measure of body weight in relation to height. It is highly correlates with
obesity and hence used to assess the nutritional status of the studied
population. BMI was computed using the following formula
Body
weight in (kg)
BMI =
Height2 (m2)
Similarly,
the Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) of an individual is a marker of central obesity. This
has calculated as
Waist circumference (cm)
WHR =
Hip circumference (cm)
The calculated values of BMI and WHR were
examined according to the Garrows BMI classification (1987) and Croft et al. classification (1995).
3. RESULTS
3.1. SOCIO- DEMOGRAPHIC
Majority of the sample population (42.5%) belonged to the joint family system and 93 per cent population was from high income family category. The main mode of income of the sample population was business. Total 95.5% female were housewives, 4.5 per cent females were engaged in business. The percentages of married males and females were 89.5 and 100, respectively. About 11.5 percent females were identified as illiterate and male literacy rate was 100%.
3.2. Dietary
As per the information obtained on dietary habit through a food frequency questionnaire, cent per cent population was vegetarian and the diet was divided into three main meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In between main meals, the studied population had the habit of having tea or fruit juice. Results of the food frequency questionnaire indicate that the desi ghee or clarified butter was the chief cooking media in all dishes. The daily menu consists of different traditional Marwari dishes. The Table 1 depicts the percentage distribution of sample population according to frequency of consumption of different food items.
Table 1 Percentage distribution of respondent according to frequency of consumption of different food items |
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Item |
Daily (%) |
Once per week |
Twice per week |
Occasionally |
Never |
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Break fast |
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Paratha |
89 |
- |
2 |
0 |
9 |
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Tikra |
2.5 |
1.5 |
- |
10 |
86 |
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Phulka |
9 |
0 |
- |
2 |
89 |
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Gehupuri |
- |
15.5 |
- |
13 |
71.5 |
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Sabipuri |
- |
4 |
7.5 |
24 |
64.5 |
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Missi roti |
- |
2 |
4 |
26.5 |
67.5 |
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Seasonal Sabji |
88 |
- |
- |
6 |
6 |
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Pickle |
76 |
- |
2.5 |
10 |
11.5 |
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Curd |
39.5 |
2 |
- |
5.5 |
53 |
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Mixture |
20 |
- |
- |
5.5 |
74.5 |
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Bread/ toast |
4.5 |
- |
- |
2 |
93.5 |
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Milk |
18.5 |
- |
- |
0 |
81.5 |
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Fruit drink |
7 |
- |
- |
5.5 |
87.5 |
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Health drink |
0 |
- |
- |
0 |
100 |
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Tea |
61.5 |
- |
- |
1 |
37.5 |
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Lunch |
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Chawal |
82.5 |
- |
- |
0 |
17.5 |
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Dhal |
97 |
- |
- |
2 |
1 |
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Paratha |
13 |
- |
1 |
14.5 |
71.5 |
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Sangri |
4.5 |
4.5 |
2 |
51.5 |
37.5 |
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Gatta |
17.5 |
3 |
2.5 |
58.5 |
18.5 |
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Dalia |
- |
- |
- |
49 |
51 |
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Phulka |
86.5 |
- |
- |
12 |
1.5 |
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Cuddy |
36 |
- |
2.5 |
15 |
46.5 |
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Began ka bharta |
5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
16 |
78 |
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Salad |
86 |
- |
- |
14 |
- |
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Seasonal Sabji |
76 |
8 |
13.5 |
2.5 |
- |
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Papad |
99 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
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Curd |
53 |
4.5 |
- |
8.5 |
34 |
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Khichdi |
- |
- |
- |
5.5 |
94.5 |
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Chutney |
89 |
- |
- |
11 |
0 |
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Pickle |
94 |
- |
- |
4 |
2 |
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Evening |
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Tea |
83.5 |
- |
- |
- |
16.5 |
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Snacks |
78 |
- |
- |
- |
22 |
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Biscuit |
33 |
- |
- |
9 |
58 |
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Snacks includes samosa/ chat/ mixture etc. |
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Dinner |
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Phulka |
87 |
- |
- |
- |
13 |
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Paratha |
13 |
- |
- |
12 |
75 |
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Chawal |
68 |
- |
- |
- |
32 |
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Dhal |
82 |
- |
- |
- |
18 |
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Gatta |
17.5 |
3 |
2 |
61 |
16.5 |
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Sangri |
5.5 |
7.5 |
- |
61.5 |
25.5 |
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Raita |
11 |
7 |
40.5 |
32 |
9.5 |
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Salad |
13 |
- |
- |
12 |
75 |
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Seasonal Sabji |
81.5 |
- |
- |
7.5 |
11 |
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Papad |
97 |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
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Chutney |
3 |
- |
- |
4 |
93 |
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Bedtime |
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Milk |
49.5 |
- |
- |
7 |
43.5 |
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Dry fruits |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
98 |
Breakfast
During breakfast 89% of the subjects consumed paratha, 9% phulka, 2.5% tikra prepared with desi ghee. Other breakfast items were seasonal sabji (88%), curd (39.5%), pickle (76%), etc. In breakfast they preferred to have milk tea (61.5%) instead of milk and 20% of the population liked to eat mixtures, such as bhujia with tea. 7% of the population used to have drinks like fruit juice in breakfast.
Lunch
During lunch time the population consumed rice (82.5%) and phulka (86.5%) or paratha (13%) with dhal (97%), seasonal sabji (76%), gatta (17.5%) sangria (4.5%), and cuddy (36%). Pickle (84%), salad (86%), chutneys (89%), and papad (99%) were common in lunch. 53% population liked to have to curd.
Evening
In evening 83% population took tea with biscuit (33%) or other snacks (78%) like bhujia, chana, chat, nimki, samosa, etc.
Dinner
Dinner was almost similar to lunch except the amount of item consumed. Normal menu was paratha (87%) or pulka (13%) and rice (68%) with dhal (82%), seasonal sabji (81.5%), sangria (5.5%), gatta (17.5), salad (13%), chutney (3%) and papad (97%). No one took curd at night. At bedtime 49.5% population consumed milk and 2% took dry fruits.
The average cereal intake for female and male were 350g/ day and 380g/ day respectively. The average pulse intake (120g/ day) was pretty high. The average intake of fruits and vegetables was 270 g per day. Pumpkin, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, tomato, potato, capsicum, beans, and carrot were regularly consumed common fresh vegetables by the sample population. The population preferred to have citrus fruits like lemon, orange, and high-water containing fruits like melon most. The daily intake of fresh cow’s milk by the respondents was 280 – 350ml. Milk was used as drink and also in different preparations like kheer, halwa, raita, cuddy, etc. At bedtime, 49.5 per cent sample population consumed milk. Cent percent respondents consumed clarified butter and it was the main cooking media for regular use. Other main fats and oils consumed by the population were mustard oil, butter, and refined oil. The average visible fat intake was 49.8g/day. The daily dietary intake food group wise and the mean nutrients intake of the sample population according to the sex and age group are shown in Table 2 & Table 3.
Table 2 Dietary intake of the sample population according to food groups |
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Food
Group |
Food
Intake (g/person/day) |
RDA
(g/person/day) |
Cereal |
350-380 |
400 |
Pulse |
120 |
80 |
Fruits and vegetables |
270 |
400 |
Milk and milk products |
280-350* |
300* |
Fats and oils |
49.8 |
30 |
* ml/person/day(Source: ICMR, 2011) |
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Table 3 Mean intake of the Energy, Protein and Fat of sample population according to the age group |
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Nutrients |
Sex |
25-34yr |
35-44yr |
45-54yr |
55-65yr |
Average
intake |
RDA |
Energy (kcal) |
Male |
2230.08 |
2216.63 |
2211.09 |
2188.9 |
2211.68±17.15 |
2730 |
Female |
2166.25 |
2141.9 |
2145.71 |
2103.87 |
2139.43± 26 |
2230 |
|
Protein (g) |
Male |
75.71 |
75.9 |
74.82 |
73.49 |
75±1.1 |
60 |
Female |
71.58 |
74.39 |
73.56 |
70.46 |
72.5±1.8 |
55 |
|
Fat (g) |
Male |
71.62 |
72.79 |
70.34 |
71.65 |
71.6±1.0 |
30 |
Female |
71.45 |
69.65 |
69.84 |
67.93 |
69.7±1.44 |
25 |
3.3. ANTHROPOMETRY
BMI
In case of male respondents, a gradual increase in BMI is observed with age. The average BMI of men within 25 to 34 years was 24.7, which is within the normal BMI range. But males with age under 35 to 65 years, were overweight and had BMI from 25.38 to 261.18 (Table 4). Though similar trend was observed, but BMI of females was slightly different. BMI of 25-34 years age group and 35-44 years age group women were 23.96 and 24.84 respectively. Females of age group 45 to 54 and 55 to 65 were having BMI of 26.38 and 28.9. That signifies that women age between 45 to 65 years were overweight.
Table 4 Mean BMI & WHR of respondents |
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Gender
with Age group |
No
of sample |
BMI |
WHR |
Male (25-34) |
34 |
24.70 ± 0.18 |
0.918 ± 0.006 |
Male (35-44) |
27 |
25.38 ± 0.27 |
0.926 ± 0.530 |
Male (45-54) |
5 |
25.99 ± 0.53 |
0949 ± 0.001 |
Male (55-65) |
21 |
26.18 ± 0.40 |
.0808 ± 0.005 |
Female (25-34) |
64 |
23.96 ± 0.36 |
0.808 ± 0.005 |
Female (35-44) |
21 |
24.84 ± 1.7 |
0.826 ± 0.007 |
Female (45-54) |
15 |
26.38 ± 0.47 |
0.858 ± 0.007 |
Female (55-65) |
13 |
28.9 ± 0.58 |
0.863 ± 0.009 |
WHR
As per Croft et al. if the ration of waist to hip girth is more than 0.95 in males and 0.8 in female, the person is having central obesity which is a known risk factor of coronary heart diseases (CHD). This assessment was done among the sample population and was found that all male respondents were having the WHR below 0.95 and all females were identified with high WHR (Table 4).
4. DISCUSSION
In history, Marwaris are the most triumphant and
richest business community in India. Marwaries are diaspora in nature since
long-ago and expansion of business was one of the major causes of migration of
Mawaries from Marwar. As per the Census (1961) around 7% Mawaries were settled
outside Rajasthan in India Mukherjee
(2011).
Marwari is a male dominated community where females are mostly engaged with
household activities. Teen age marriage, poor literacy rate among girls is a
major social issue in Rajasthan. The study was evaluated based on the
demographic profile, average nutrient intake, diet modification, influence of
agro climatic condition on food habit of the studied population.
4.1. DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE
The common and solo mode of income of 100% male and
4.5% female respondents of the community was business. Like men, Marwari women
are also good in business and as per a study 28.9% women were engaged in some
income generation activity in urban Rajasthan Agarwal
and Verma (2015). During the data
collection period, no female was unmarried between 25-65 years of age, and no
one was divorced or separated from the family. The population preferred to live
in joint family type with dual property holding in Assam and Rajasthan
individually or as whole with the family.
As per the NFHS-4 MoHFW
(2016)
report the literacy rate of men and women in Rajasthan were higher in urban
area (92.4% & 75.8%) as compared to rural area (82.6% & 49.8%). But
among the studied population, 0% males and only 11.5% women were found
illiterate during the study.
4.2. DIETARY HABIT
The principal harvested food grains of Rajasthan are cereals
such as rice, wheat and millets like jowar, bajra, maize, ragi. Others include pulses,
ground nut, sesame. Millets, lentils, and beans are the most basic ingredients
in their food. Gram flour is a major ingredient in the preparation of traditional
food items like ghatta ki sabzi, pakodi and khata. The staple food items of Rajasthan are rotis, rabdi, and khichdi
maid from bajra and corn. Many
vegetables and certain berries (like kair
and debra) are sun-dried and
preserved for the year. Similarly, other parts of the plant like fruits (bijoda), stems and roots (garmar), and even certain aromatic twigs
(sanghar) are also hydrated for
preservation. Rajasthan is affluent in dairy products and items like desi ghee, curd, malai, makhan, plain milk,
lassi, paneer etc are abundantly used by the population for dietary
purpose.
The food group wise
consumption pattern of the population placed at Table 2 portrays that the
sample population falls under the lacto- vegetarian community as they took only
milk, and no other animal food products. The milk consumption quantity among
the sample population was quite high and it was a major source of protein (8.96
-11.2g) as well as fat (11.48-14.35g) in the diet. Milk was consumed as drink, curd, paneer, and sweet items. Milk
contributed 12.2- 15.1% protein in daily diet of the respondents, and it was close
to 15.47% protein from milk as mentioned in Nutrient Intake of India NSSO (2007)
for urban Rajasthan. The total intake of milk by the respondents was
ranged from 280 to 350
ml/person/day analogous to 329.8±40.57 ml milk intake per day per person by
women of urban Rajasthan Agarwal
and Verma (2015). The average milk and milk
product consumption by the sample population was slightly higher than the RDA
for milk (300ml) as per ICMR ICMR (2011).
Cereal like wheat and rice were the main source of energy in the diet of respondents. Common cereal items include phulka, paratha, tikra, rice etc. The average consumption of cereal by the population was 350-380 (g/person/day) which was less than RDA (600/day) for Indian ICMR (2011). Cereals are the major source of energy in daily diet of the sample population which had similitude with 49.21% NSSO (2014) and 59.73% MoSPI and WFP (2019) of energy shared by cereal in diet of people of urban Rajasthan. But low cereal consumption was interconnected to overall negative calorie balance diet of the population.
The fat consumption pattern of the sample population (69.79g/day) was as high as in urban Rajasthan (66.7g/day) MoSPI and WFP (2019). The average fat intake of urban women age in between 35 to 70 years of Jaipur city of Rajasthan was reported to be 67.41 -74.4 g/day Agarwal and Verma (2015). The major portion of fat was contributed by desi ghee and other sources were mustard oil, refined oil, butter, and milk, etc. The average fat consumption of the studied population was 70.6 g per day out of which 49.8 g comes from visible sources and 20.8 g comes from invisible fat sources. Fat consumption value was much higher that the RDA (25 to 30/day) for fat in diet ICMR (2011).
Next to milk, pulses were the important source of protein in diet of respondents. All types of pulses, legumes were consumed in high amount by the sample population. Green gram and Bengal dhal were the most preferred pulses. Powdered pulses were used for recipes like cuddy, pakora, bada, gatta etc. Other snack items such as roasted/ fried Bengal gram, green gram, sprouts etc contribute to pulses consumption in the diet. The average pulses consumption was 120g/day by the sample population. This value was higher than the recommended 75 to 90g/day for pulses ICMR (2011). A study on women of Jaipur urban areas confirmed 28.47± 17.19 g/day pulse consumption Agarwal and Verma (2015). The NNBM reports, ICMR (2009) shows 50g pulses intake per day per person in Rajasthan and recognized as a high protein intake state. Same report documents a negative trend in pulse consumption in Rajasthan.
In Assam, Marwari people eat fresh fruits & vegetables instead of persevered vegetables. The average daily intake was 270g/day, which was lower than the RDA for vegetable and fruits (500+100 g/day) advised by ICMR ICMR (2011). Pumpkin, bottle gourd, bitter gourd, tomato, potato, beans, carrots were common vegetables in diet of the respondents. They prefer citrus fruits like lemon, sweet lime, orange, and high-water containing fruits such as watermelon. Whereas the average intake by women in Jaipur was reported to be 15.73±9.24, 67.75±40.57 & 55.11±25.57 g/day for green leafy, roots & tubers and other vegetables respectively Agarwal and Verma (2015). Similarly low consumption (2/3 of RDA) of vegetables and negligible consumption of green leafy was reported among Gujrati vegetarians of India ICMR (2009).
Using the standard nutritive values of Indian food items, the nutritive value of consumed items was calculated for energy, protein, and fat Pasricha (2000). The age and sex wise mean intake of nutrient is presented in Table 3. The mean intake of energy by male and female population was 2211.7 ± 17.15 kcal and 2139.4± 26 kcal, respectively. But these values were lower than RDA for man (2730 kcal) and woman (2211.7 kcal). There was gradual reduction in energy consumption observed with age among male of 25 to 65 years. However apart from oldest group (55-65 years) among females, the energy consumption was quite similar. The average calorie intake of 3090 kcal in rural and 2704 kcal in urban Rajasthan during 1993-94 had been reduced to 2408 kcal and 2320 kcal, respectively in 2011-12 NSSO (2014). The calorie contribution proportion of 57:14:29 shared by carbohydrate, protein, and fat in diet of the sample population was very much similar with urban Rajasthan’s 63:11:26 ratio than the ration of 73:10:17 in Assamese diet of Assam, India NSSO (2014). Protein and fat intake in both the genders were much higher than the RDA for different age groups. The female population mainly belongs to the housewife category, which may have an influence on the habit of eating energy dense snacks in between main meals at home and this may be a reason of high calorie intake per day. From the NSSO reports NSSO (2007),NSSO (2014) it is evident that the overall protein and fat consumption is always higher than the RDA in Rajasthani diet. The average protein intake by people in Rajasthan was 69.6g and 64g per capita per day in rural and urban population in 2004-05 and 68.4g and 62.7g per capita per day in 2011-12. The average fat and protein intake Rajasthan was 66.7g/ person/ day for both fat and protein and similarly, these values were 39.2g/ person/ day and 55.49 g/ person/ day for population residing in Assam NSSO (2014). So, it makes clear that the Marwari people living in Jorhat, Assam were trailing the similar fashioned dietary pattern with people in Rajasthan.
4.3. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT
Assam and Rajasthan share different agro climatic condition. Rajasthan has Trans-Gangetic Plains Region, Central Plateau and Hills Region, Gujarat Plains and Hills Region while Assam comes under the Eastern Himalayan Region. As per FAO FAO (2008), an agro-climatic zone means an area of land in terms of predominant climates that is befitting for a particular range or verity of agricultural produce and cultivars based on its physiography, soil quality, geological condition, climate, cropping pattern, facility of irrigation and mineral resources. So, it provides sufficient information to understand that the food availability was relatively diverse in both the states. Agriculture and fisheries depend on the agro climatic condition of a specific region and any change in climate affects food production and security through its impact on food chain FAO (2008). Regional differences with socio-economic and agricultural factors were associated with household dietary diversity Sukhwinder et al. (2020). As per the NSSO report, NSSO (2007) in Rajasthan, maize, and other millets, such as bajra were equally popular cereal along with wheat and rice, but in Assam, Marwari people commonly use wheat and rice only. The sample population eat good number of fresh vegetables in Assam; in contrast Rajasthani diet was grossly deficient in green leafy vegetables and other vegetables Singh et al. (2007). Rajasthani people generally take two major meals per day, which was different from three meal pattern of Marwaries living in Jorhat town.
4.4. PRIMARY RISK FACTORS OF METABOLIC DISORDERS
The sample population followed the traditional Marwari food culture with little changes in frequency of eating, choice of items from different food groups and nutrient consumption. But predominantly 100% population use the clarified butter, a saturated fat for cooking. The high visible fat (49.6g/day) consumption by the population might be an invisible risk factor for any metabolic disorders in future Narasimhan et al. (2016). Moreover, low intakes of fruits & vegetables with insufficient physical activity were considerably linked with the metabolic syndrome risk factors Verma et al. (2018) because specific nutrients have influence on fat metabolism Alicia et al. (2019). The consumption of fruits and vegetables (270g/day) by the population might not providing enough vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fibre to the diet of the respondents but it is better than Rajasthani diet. The prevalence of hypertension was 14.5% (Table 5) among the sample population. As per the NFHS-4 MoHFW (2016),MoHFW (2016) report, the hypertension rate with a little higher than normal (Systolic 140-159 mm of Hg and/or Diastolic 90-99 mm of Hg) was 6.4% and 11.6% among urban female and male adults (age 15-49 years) of Rajasthan, whereas it was 13.2% and 17.9% among female and males in Assam. So, trend of hypertension among the sample population is similar with Assamese people. During the study, total 17% sample population was diabetic (Table 5). 3.9% urban women and 5.8% men were reported to have high blood sugar level (>140 mg/dl) in Rajasthan, in the same way these values were 7.2% and 7.6% in Assam MoHFW (2016),MoHFW (2016). This shows the prevalence of diabetes among the studied population was neither bear a resemblance neither to prevalence in Rajasthan nor to Assam. Among the studied population, 32.9% of total females specifically age between 45 -54years and 55 -65 years had grade I obesity with BMI of 26.38 ±0.47 and 28.9±0.58, respectively and all females had WHR above normal limit. In addition, total 31.8 % male respondents were overweight with BMI 26.18±0.4. According to the NFHS-4 report, the percentage of overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25) among urban women and men in Rajasthan was 23.7 and 19.7. In contrast, in Assam it was 26.1 and 24.8. So, it was apparent that the trend of obesity among migrated Mawaries was close to Assamese people than Rajasthani natives. The high fat food intake of the community probably promotes weight gain among the sample population James et al. (2000). As the consumption of dietary fat (72.8g/ day) was fairly high (29% of total calorie) as compared to the RDA for Indians by the sample population in comparison to Rajasthani and Assamese community as a whole, it might be the reason behind their high pervasiveness of hypertension, diabetes and obesity.
Table 5 Presence primary risk factor among the sample population |
||
Risk
factor |
No
of respondents |
Percentage |
Hypertension |
34 |
17 |
Diabetes |
29 |
14.5 |
5. CONCLUSION
The present investigation reveals facts of nutritional
significance of migrated Marwari people living in Jorhat town of Assam, India. The
sample population is found to be followed the Rajasthani diet habit. Though
there was alteration in fruits and vegetables consumption pattern, but the
studied population was highly influenced by the traditional Marwari diet
pattern in terms of frequency, quality, and quantity. The main finding that
emerges was the dietary excess of fat intake and association with presence of
metabolic risk factors of NCDs. The energy contribution by fat (mainly
saturated fat) ranged between 29.14 to 29.32 percent mainly from animal source
(milk and desi ghee) among different
age groups was approximately equal to upper limit of fat for genesis of CHD.
Though the risk factors of any metabolic disorder like hypertension, diabetes,
obesity, sedentary habit, high fat intake were present among the sample
population; high intake of pulse & curd and avoidance of alcohol &
smoking habit may be considered as the preventive and protective measures
against these risk factors. Pulses are rich in vitamins, minerals &
antioxidant. Over and above dietary calcium of card has essential and important
role in regulation of energy metabolism, which inhibits adipogenesis and
improves insulin sensitivity. Daily supplementation of probiotics in curd is
also a matter of advantage for NCD prevention. However, the towering prevalence
of risk factors of metabolic disorders among the studied population as
compared to people of Rajasthan, demands immediate awareness on issues like
lifestyle and behavioural change. The studied population may be linked with the
Ayushman Bharat Comprehensive Primary Healthcare (CPHC) program of
Government of India for regular health screening and interventions like counselling,
treatments, and referral MoHFW
(2018).
This study also makes available baseline information on diet and food habit of
Marwaries migrated to Assam.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
One of the authors (PB) would like to express her sincere thanks to Dr. Gayatri Borthakur, Assam Agricultural University for providing support in all ways including idea sharing and guidance.
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