Household Food Insecurity and Child Nutrition among Tribal Communities: Evidence from Jharkhand

Rajesh Kumar; Ashok Nimesh

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.78070

Household Food Insecurity and Child Nutrition among Tribal Communities: Evidence from Jharkhand

Author(s)	Mr. Rajesh Kumar, Dr. Ashok Nimesh
Country	India
Abstract	Household food insecurity and child malnutrition continue to be major developmental concerns among tribal communities in Jharkhand. The present study examines the relationship between household food insecurity and child nutritional outcomes among tribal populations in the state. Tribal communities in Jharkhand have historically depended on forests, subsistence agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge for food and livelihood security. However, rapid industrialization, displacement, environmental degradation, poverty, and declining access to traditional food resources have weakened indigenous food systems and increased nutritional vulnerability. The study analyses the socio-economic conditions of tribal households and explores how inadequate access to nutritious food affects child health and development. The findings indicate that a significant proportion of tribal children suffer from stunting, wasting, underweight conditions, and anaemia due to poverty, low dietary diversity, seasonal unemployment, poor maternal health, and inadequate healthcare facilities. The study also highlights that welfare programmes such as the Public Distribution System (PDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and PoshanAbhiyaan have not been fully effective in addressing nutritional insecurity in remote tribal regions. From an anthropological perspective, the research emphasizes the importance of indigenous food practices and traditional knowledge systems in ensuring nutritional sustainability. The study concludes that child malnutrition among tribal communities is not only a health issue but also a reflection of socio-economic inequality, ecological vulnerability, and developmental exclusion. It recommends culturally sensitive and community-based policy interventions that strengthen food security, improve healthcare access, promote traditional nutritious foods, and ensure sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal populations in Jharkhand.
Keywords	Household Food Insecurity, Child Nutrition, Tribal Communities, Jharkhand, Malnutrition, Indigenous Food Systems
Field	Sociology > Health
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On	2026-05-11
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.78070

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Household Food Insecurity and Child Nutrition among Tribal Communities: Evidence from Jharkhand

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