Impact Of Maternal Status on Child Nutrition Among the Anal and The Moyon Naga Tribes Of Chandel, Manipur: A Comparative Study

ISBN: 978-93-7143-285-6 97 Chapter - 6 Impact Of Maternal Status on Child Nutrition Among the Anal and The Moyon Naga Tribes Of Chandel, Manipur: A Comparative Study Dr. L. Khiloni Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Anthropology, South East Manipur College, Komlathabi Corresponding Email:[email protected]om ABSTRACT: The present study investigates the nutritional status of Anal and Moyon children using the Gomez classification and examines the influence of maternal factors such as nutritional status, education, occupation and nutritional knowledge on moderate to severe malnutrition among these children. Data collected from 245 children (129 Anal and 116 Moyon) reveal that malnutrition is highly prevalent in both communities, with 45.3% of children experiencing mild malnutrition, 21.6% moderate and 5.7% severe malnutrition. A strong association was observed between maternal characteristics and the nutritional status of children. The prevalence of moderate to severe malnutrition was highest among children of underweight mothers (44.8%), illiterate mothers (50%), cultivator mothers (38.2%), and mothers with poor nutritional knowledge (30%). In contrast, the lowest rates of malnutrition were observed among children of mothers who were classified as obese-II (6%), graduates and above (22.6%), government Impact Of Maternal Status on Child Nutrition Among The 98 employees (20%), and those with higher nutritional knowledge (24.1%). These findings highlight a clear inverse relationship between maternal education, employment status, nutritional knowledge, and children's nutritional health. The results underscore the critical role of maternal empowerment and awareness in addressing child malnutrition within these communities. Keywords: Maternal Status, Malnutrition, Child Nutrition, Anal Tribe, Moyon Tribe, 1. Introduction Child malnutrition remains a persistent public health concern, particularly in tribal and marginalized communities where socioeconomic, cultural and educational barriers intersect with health and nutrition outcomes. In India, despite numerous national nutrition programs and interventions, the burden of child malnutrition continues to be disproportionately high among tribal populations. The state of Manipur, home to diverse indigenous groups, reflects this disparity, with significant variation in nutritional indicators across different communities. Maternal factors are widely recognized as key determinants of child health and nutritional status. A mother's education, employment, nutritional knowledge, and her own nutritional status directly influence child-feeding practices, health-seeking behaviour, and household food security. These maternal attributes become especially crucial in rural and tribal contexts, where access to healthcare and nutrition services is often limited. Dr. L. Khiloni 99 This study focuses on two lesser-studied Naga tribes of Manipur—the Anal and the Moyon tribes, residing in the Chandel district—to assess the impact of maternal status on child nutrition. While both communities share similar geographic and cultural settings, differences in socioeconomic characteristics and maternal profiles may contribute to variations in child malnutrition patterns. Using the Gomez classification, this study evaluates the nutritional status of children and examines its association with maternal factors, including nutritional status (Weisell, 2002), educational attainment, employment status, and nutritional knowledge. By comparing the two tribal groups, the research aims to identify critical maternal determinants that influence child nutrition and to highlight areas for targeted interventions. Understanding these relationships is essential for designing context-specific nutrition policies and improving maternal and child health outcomes in tribal regions. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that maternal empowerment, through education, employment opportunities, and increased awareness can play a transformative role in combating child malnutrition among underprivileged populations. 2.Materials & Methods The present study was undertaken to examine the influence of various maternal factors on the nutritional status of children aged 1 to 5 years. Data collection was conducted using a structured interview schedule, specifically designed for this purpose. A door-to-door household survey was carried out Impact Of Maternal Status on Child Nutrition Among The 100 among selected participants from the Anal and Moyon Naga tribes in Chandel district, Manipur. Data for the present study comprise of 245 children (129 Anal and 116 Moyon) and their respective mothers. The interview schedule included questions related to the participants' demographic details such as name, age, sex, religion, and educational status. Socioeconomic information and maternal occupational data were also recorded. Anthropometric measurements were taken from both the children (aged 1–5 years) and their respective mothers. These included: 1. For children: weight, height, head circumference, upper arm circumference and chest circumference 2. For mothers: height and weight, which were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) In addition, information on dietary patterns, food preferences, and food habits of the community was documented. Clinical signs of malnutrition were observed among the children to complement the anthropometric data. The Gomez classification was used to assess the nutritional status of the children based on weight-for-age. The nutritional status of mothers was assessed using BMI categories as per WHO guidelines (Weisell, 2002). 3.Results & Discussions Table 1: Distribution of Anal and Moyon Children by Nutritional Status (Gomez Classification) Nutritional Status Anal Moyon Total N % N % N % Dr. L. Khiloni 101 Normal > 90 33 25.6 34 29.3 67 27.4 Mild Malnutrition (75-90) 62 48.1 49 42.2 111 45.3 Moderate Malnutrition (6075) 27 20.9 26 22.4 53 21.6 Severe Malnutrition (<60) 7 5.4 7 6.1 14 5.7 Total 129 100.0 116 100.0 245 100.0 Table 1 presents the distribution of Anal and Moyon children according to their nutritional status based on the Gomez classification. It indicates that malnutrition is quite prevalent in both communities. The pattern of nutritional status among the children in both groups follows the order: mild malnutrition > moderate malnutrition > severe malnutrition. When data from both populations are combined, it is observed that 45.3% of the children suffer from mild malnutrition, 21.6% from moderate malnutrition, and 5.7% from severe malnutrition. Table 2: Distribution of Anal and Moyon children suffering from moderate/severe malnutrition (Gomez classification) by mother’s nutritional status(Weisell, C.R.2002) Nutritional Status of Women Children suffering from Moderate/Severe Malnutrition Total Children Anal Moyon N % N % N % Impact Of Maternal Status on Child Nutrition Among The 102 Underweight<18.5 18 52.9 12 36.4 30 44.8 Normal 18.5 – 22.9 5 14.7 6 18.2 11 16.4 At risk of obesity 23.0 -24.9 8 23.5 8 24.2 16 23.9 Obese-I 25-29.9 2 6.0 4 12.1 6 8.9 Obese – II ≥ 30.0 1 2.9 3 9.1 4 6.0 Total 34 100.0 33 100.0 67 100.0 Table 2 shows the distribution of Anal and Moyon children suffering from moderate to severe malnutrition (as per the Gomez classification), categorized by their mothers’ nutritional status (Weisell, C.R., 2002). In both communities, the highest percentage of children suffering from moderate/severe malnutrition is found among underweight mothers: 52.9% in the Anal group and 36.4% in the Moyon group. Conversely, the lowest percentage is observed among mothers classified as Obese-II: 2.9% (Anal) and 9.1% (Moyon). When both populations are combined, underweight mothers account for the highest percentage (44.8%) of children with moderate/severe malnutrition. The lowest combined percentage (6.0%) is found among children of Obese-II mothers. Comparatively, Anal children of underweight mothers have a higher prevalence of moderate/severe malnutrition (52.9%) than Moyon children (36.4%). On the other hand, among children of Obese-II mothers, the Moyon group shows a slightly higher percentage (9.1%) than the Anal group (2.9%). Combining both populations, underweight mothers are most associated with children suffering from moderate/severe malnutrition (44.8%), while Obese-II mothers are least associated (6.0%). Dr. L. Khiloni 103 Table 3: Distribution of Anal and Moyon children suffering from moderate/severe malnutrition (Gomez classification) by mother’s education. Mother’s Education Children suffering from moderate/severe malnutrition Anal Moyon N % N % Illiterate 2 40.0 5 50.0 Primary 5 38.5 2 40.0 Middle 3 30.0 4 33.3 High School 6 26.1 6 30.0 Higher Secondary 9 23.7 9 23.7 Graduate & above 9 22.5 7 22.6 Total 34 26.4 33 28.4 Table 3 presents the distribution of Anal and Moyon children suffering from moderate to severe malnutrition (according to the Gomez classification), based on the educational level of their mothers. The data indicates a clear inverse relationship between maternal education and the prevalence of moderate/severe malnutrition among children. In both communities, as the mother’s educational level increases, the percentage of children suffering from malnutrition decreases. Illiterate mothers have the highest percentage of children suffering from moderate/severe malnutrition: 40.0%in the Anal group and 50.0%in the Moyon group. In contrast, mothers who are graduates and above show the lowest percentage: 22.5% (Anal) and 22.6% (Moyon). This trend suggests that maternal Impact Of Maternal Status on Child Nutrition Among The 104 education plays a significant role in influencing the nutritional status of children. Higher education levels among mothers are associated with better nutritional outcomes in both the Anal and Moyon populations. Table 4: Distribution of Anal and Moyon children suffering from moderate/severe malnutrition (Gomez classification) by mother’s employment. Mother’s Occupation Children suffering from moderate/severe malnutrition Anal Moyon N % N % Cultivator 13 38.2 12 37.5 Business 3 25.0 4 28.6 Cultivator + Business 1 33.3 1 25.0 Govt. Employed 5 21.7 1 20.0 House wife 11 20.4 12 23.5 Private teacher 1 33.3 3 30.0 Total 34 26.4 33 28.4 Table 4 exhibits the distribution of Anal and Moyon children suffering from moderate to severe malnutrition (based on the Gomez classification), categorized by their mothers' employment status. In the Anal population, the highest percentage of children with moderate/severe malnutrition is found among mothers who are cultivators (38.2%), while the lowest is observed among housewives (20.4%). Similarly, in the Moyon population, children of cultivator mothers show the Dr. L. Khiloni 105 highest percentage (37.5%), whereas the lowest percentage is seen among children of mothers employed in government jobs (20.0%). This table highlights a potential link between maternal occupation and child nutritional status. Children of mothers engaged in cultivation tend to show higher rates of malnutrition, while those whose mothers are government employees or housewives appear to have comparatively better nutritional outcomes. Table 5: Distribution of Anal and Moyon children suffering from moderate/severe malnutrition (Gomez classification) by mother’s nutritional knowledge. Mother’s nutritional knowledge Children suffering from moderate/severe malnutrition Anal Moyon N % N % Poor 19 29.2 15 30 Average 10 25.0 11 29.7 Higher 05 20.8 07 24.1 Total 34 26.4 33 28.4 Table 5 shows the distribution of Anal and Moyon children suffering from moderate to severe malnutrition (as per the Gomez classification) in relation to their mothers’ nutritional knowledge. In both populations, a higher percentage of children with moderate/severe malnutrition is observed among mothers with poor nutritional knowledge: 29.2% in the Anal group and 30.0% in the Moyon group. Conversely, mothers