The present study examines the nutritional status of elderly belonging to Tiwas (a scheduled tribe of Assam which is spread over in various districts) on the basis of anthropometric variables and assesses the prevalence of under-nutrition along with risk for metabolic complications among them. 501 Tiwas elderly in the age group of 60 years and above were measured for height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference using a standard protocol. Body Mass Index, Waist Hip Ratio, and Waist to Height Ratio were computed for assessment of nutritional status. Prevalence of under-nutrition on the basis of Body Mass Index is 27 per cent and 10 per cent of the elderly are at risk for metabolic complicacy according to Body Mass Index with significant gender difference. On the basis of Waist circumference, only 3.41 per cent showed a risk whereas on the basis of Waist Hip Ratio the risk is found to increase substantially. There is a significant gender difference in the prevalence of risk for metabolic complicacy with more female elderly showing risk. Under-nutrition is higher among the male elderly. Age, sex, no longer having a spouse, and not being able to work anymore are found to have a significant influence on the body mass index, waist to hip ratio, and waist to height ratio.
Tiwas Elderly, Nutritional Status, Gender differences, Undernutrition, Metabolic Complicacies
