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A cross-sectional study was undertaken on 135 Jenukuruba tribal children belonging to 6+ to 10+ age group through purposive sampling method. Anthropometric measurements and Clinical observation techniques were used to analyse the nutritional status. Assessment of nutritional status using WHO recommended anthropometric indicator and Z-score interpretation revealed, high prevalence of mild (41.5%) and severe (6.7%) stunting, more prevalence of mild (40%) and severe (3.7%) in wasting, and underweight was 45.2% moderate and 14.8% severity. The BMI value shows 69.6% were CED-III and only 2.2% were CED-I. Clinical assessment (using clinical sign of a disease) shows high prevalence of lack of luster and sparseness in hair, conjunctiva xerosis in eyes, angular stomatities in lips, scarlet and raw tongue, dental flurosis in teeth and scabies in skin. Most of the children are mesomorphic in physical appearance.

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The present study was undertaken to evaluate the dietary status of 6+ to 10+ year children of Jenu Kuruba (n=176) and Yerava (n=161) tribal children representing three taluks of Mysore district, Karnataka State. Findings of dietary habits were recorded through interview schedule and a survey was conducted using 24 hour recall method. The study reveals that the percentage of adequacy in energy and protein intake among both the tribal group children was more or less same and below the respective RDAs. Intake of calcium, iron and beta-carotene are varied from age differential. Consumption of calcium rich food was more among Jenu Kuruba than Yerava children.

Education for all is one of the emerging issues in India. The literacy rates among the tribal population are not only low but also shows a higher level of gender disparity. Even today, tribal literacy falls below the national average. Along with the drawback in their education, all other indicators of development remains excluded despite the constant effort of government policies and programmes. Social exclusion from development has adversely affected the quality of life of the tribal people, and children are no exception. Proper awareness campaigns need to be organised to achieve the goal of education to tribal children. Improve the attitude of the parents towards their children's education is one of the important factors.