Impact of nutritional epidemiology and socioeconomic status on the dietary intake of Irular tribes against recommended dietary allowances

Abstract Background The Irular, a marginalized Scheduled Tribe in Tamil Nadu, face a range of socio-economic and nutritional challenges that make it crucial to examine their dietary habits and overall health. There is a lack of data concerning the relationship, between their means of living and dietary habits. Objectives This research seeks to assess nutrient intake in comparison with recommended dietary allowance (RDA) and to examine its association with socio-economic status. Methodology Cross-Sectional study was conducted between February 2024 and January 2025 among Irular tribes in Coimbatore to assess the socio-economic status, dietary habits, and anthropometric measurement of the 415 participants. Nutrition intake was computerised using Diet Cal software and data was analysed using SPSS v27. Results The results revealed that majority of male 79.7% and female 60% of the tribal population had only primary education, 80% were engaged in daily wage labour, 88% of the tribal population fell into the lower-middle socioeconomic class, indicating limited economic opportunities. Anthropometric measurements showed that 49% of participants had a normal BMI, 38% were overweight, 13% were obese ( p < 0.001). Both men and women were found to have inadequate intake of energy, protein, fiber, iron, and calcium compared with the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), 52% male consumes alcohol and 28% female consumes tobacco of the total tribal population. The study reveals correlation between Socio-Economic Status and nutrient intake ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The finding highlights the impact of inadequate nutritional intake, imbalanced diet, their personal habits and lower SES. To reduces this targeted intervention and special nutrition awareness must be initiated. Strengthening food security through culturally appropriate strategies could help bridge the nutritional gap and improve overall health outcomes among the Irular community.