DALIT, MEDAK DISTRICT, INDIA
Community Food System Data Tables
Introduction
This field study was carried out in the region of Zaheerabad (or Zahirabad) in the Medak District, of the State of Andhra Pradesh in South East India (Figure 1). The culture of interest in this area was the Dalit, who represent approximately 18% of the 2 269 800 people living in the Medak District.
This section of the report provides information on 229 foods consumed by the Dalit in Zaheerabad. Nutrient information was obtained from various sources including laboratory analyses by ANGR Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India (1), Nutritive Value of Indian Foods 2002/1980 (2), the National Institute of Nutrition-UCF project (2001-2004) of the Deccan Development Society (DDS) - a local NGO (3), and CARE-Program, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (4).
All other information was gathered through focus group discussions and individual interviews carried out within the community. The interdisciplinary research team working on this project consisted of the following:
| Team member | Institution | Role & responsibility |
| Groups of women farmers | Deccan Development Society (DDS) | Local leadership indigenous community |
| Dr Ravi Prasada Rao Assistant Professor | Department of Botany, Krishna Deveraya University, Ananthapur, Andhra Pradesh | Herbarium Scientist |
| P. V. Satheesh Director
| Deccan Development Society | Food culture Anthropologist specialist |
| Salome Yesudas Senior Nutritionist | Deccan Development Society | Food and dietary database specialist |
| Dr S. Bapu Rao Head, Analytical Chemistry Department | National Institute of Nutrition – ICMR Hyderabad | Food analyses specialist |
| Martina Schmid | McGill University | Food and dietary database specialist |
| Chinna Narsamma, Iaxmamma, Mogulamma, Panthakala, Srinivas, | Community Medical Center, DDS, Pastapur, | Photo documentation |
| A. Nagaraj | DDS | Computer Assistance |
| Dr Harriet V Kuhnlein | CINE, McGill University | Project Leader |
Notes on food groups
Users should be aware that the data presented here do not represent absolute values. The purpose of this publication is to present a true reflection of the usual composition of foods as available and/or consumed among Dalit community members. This is a living document and nutrient information will be added and or updated when available.
The Taxonomic classification of the foods was done by a Herbarium Scientist working at Krishna Deveraya University. The foods were divided into 10 groups:
- Animal Foods
- Drinks
- Grains
- Fruits
- Pulses
- Spices
- Roots, Tubers and Other Vegetables
- Leafy Vegetables
- Nuts and Oilseeds
- Miscellaneous Foods
Notes on food components
There are approximately 20 to 22 components in the main body of the tables, which are presented in a fixed format for each record. The order of presentation is based on major nutrient categories.
The information on the analytical details for majority of the components and conversion factors for some nutrients can be obtained from the referenced literature.
Most of the total carotene and beta carotene values are sourced from the “Nutritive Value of Indian Foods” (2). However, some of the data for these components are obtained from other sources and are appropriately referenced in the tables.
Vitamin A values are reported in both Vitamin A retinol equivalents (RE-µg) and in Vitamin A retinol activity equivalents (RAE-µg). These values are calculated and reported only for foods where beta carotene and total carotene values are available. Vitamin A RAE values are reported for compatibility with the DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) recommendations.
References
- Rajyalakshmi, P., Venkatalaxmi, K., Venkatalakhshmamma, K., Jyothsna, Y., Balachandramani Devi., Suneetha, V., 2001. Total carotene and beta-carotene contents of forest leafy vegetables consumed by tribal of South India. Plant food for Human Nutrition 56, 225-238.
- Gopalan, G., Rama Sastri, B.V., Balasubramanian S.C., 2002. Nutritive value of Indian Foods. National Institute of Nutrition. Indian Council of Medical Research. Hydrabad-500 007. India.
- Nutritive value from NIN analysis, UCF project. 2002 -2003.
- CARE-Program, Hydrabad, Andhra Pradesh
- Puwastien, P., Burlingame, B., Raroengwichit, M., Sungpuag, P., 2000. ASEAN Food Composition Tables. Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University (INMU), Thailand.
- Bhaskarachary, K., Sankar Rao, D. S., Deosthale, Y.G., Reddy, V., 1995. Carotene content of some common and less familiar foods of plant origin. Food Chemistry 54, 189–193.