Dietary Practices and Prevalence of Protein and Iron Deficiencies among Tribal Women in Udaipur District, Rajasthan: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Tribal women in India remain nutritionally vulnerable because poverty, limited dietary diversity and restricted access to health and nutrition services affect food intake and health outcomes. This systematic review examines the nutritional status of tribal women in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, with particular emphasis on dietary practices and the prevalence of protein and iron deficiencies. The review was based on secondary data from peer-reviewed journal articles, the National Family Health Survey-5, Census of India 2011 and relevant institutional publications, including ICMR, WHO and FAO sources. A PRISMA-based approach was followed. In total, 120 records were identified during preliminary screening, 15 duplicates were removed, 105 records were screened and 40 studies were included in the final synthesis after eligibility assessment. The reviewed evidence indicates that diets among tribal women are predominantly cereal-based, with limited consumption of pulses, milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and other nutrient-dense foods. Such dietary patterns contribute to inadequate protein intake and poor micronutrient adequacy. Evidence in the reviewed literature also indicates that anaemia is highly prevalent among tribal women. NFHS-5 reported anaemia among 61.6% of Scheduled Tribe women aged 15–49 years, while a study among pregnant tribal women reported anaemia prevalence of 85.7%. Poverty, low educational attainment, inadequate dietary intake, frequent pregnancies, poor sanitation, geographical isolation and limited access to healthcare were identified as major associated factors. The review suggests that improving dietary diversity, strengthening supplementation, expanding nutrition education and improving access to healthcare are necessary to address protein and iron deficiencies among tribal women in Udaipur district.