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An ethnobotanical study was carried out among Mannan, Urali, and Paliyan communities at Kozhimala and Chakkupallom villages of Idukki dist, Kerela. Information on one hundred plants used by them as a source of medicine for various ailments was collected through a questionnaire. Totally 68 plant species were collected from the Mannan community, 16 from the Urali, and another 16 from Paliyan community. The plant parts used as sources of medicine by targeted tribes were, leaves (52%), followed by roots (29%), stem, and bark (20%) Fruit and seed (19%), Whole plant (14%) Latex and resin (5%), flower and other parts (6%). Among which, mostly preferred plant parts as a source of medicine by Mannan tribe was leaf (35%) followed by root parts (16%), stem and bark (15%), fruit and seed (11%), whole plant (6%) latex and resin (5%) flower and other parts (4%) whereas Urali tribes used root parts (9%) leaf (5%) seed and fruit (3%) bark (3%) whole plant (3%) and flower (2%) and Paliyan used leaf (12%) followed by whole plant (5%), seed (5%) and root parts (4%). Mannas mostly use herbs (32%) as their medicine followed by Trees (21%) also shrubs (15%) and climbers (5%). Urali tribes use Herbs (9%), shrubs (8%), climbers, and trees 3% each. Paliyan tribes mostly use Herbs (15%), followed by trees (9%), Shrubs (3%), and climbers (1%).
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With the advancements of digitalization technology in health sector, diabetes care and management have also experienced modifications and betterment. Various newer technologies cater to the individual conditions and needs and provide a personalized treatment. Device based technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) linked to closed loop insulin delivery system, insulin pumps, wearable devices linked with mobile apps have made the self-management of diabetes possible on regular basis. In its contrast, the technologies are yet to reach the tribal settings of India, and also very challenging to implement. Studies have shown that the scenario of diabetes prevalence in Indian tribal population is as crucial as urban population. Also, land alienation, lack of health management infrastructure, low connectivity, technological challenges add up to their condition. While various technologies are challenging to implement due to electricity, network connectivity, infrastructure and storage facilities, some technologies can be implemented easily with the joint approach of primary health care staff, governmental and non-governmental organizations and people with diabetes themselves. Digitization of data is needed as it will give a clearer picture of the prevalence, provide easy access for the follow ups and easier to implement intervention-based technologies. The situation demands a tailored multifaceted approach for implementing the technological based remedies in tribal settings of India as it will increase the quality of life in these areas.
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Background: Food taboo is a prohibition against consuming certain foods and food preference refers to the way in which people choose from among available comestibles on the basis of biological or economic perceptions including taste, value, purity, ease or difficulty of preparation, and the availability of fuel and other preparation tools. This cultural practice can be studied from different theoretical perspectives. Methods: For the present study total number of 948 [Hindu rural caste (347), Hindu urban caste (356), Lodha (245) rural areas] lactating mothers were chosen for collecting data regarding their socio-demographic features and the cultural practices (food taboo and food preferences during the period of lactation) followed by them. Both interview and case study method was applied for collecting data. SPSS 16.0 was used to entry and analyse the data. Results: Reveals that hindu caste rural participants showed significantly higher preference for certain food items compared to their urban counterpart and the Lodha participants. Significantly, more number of HCR participants showed preference towards certain food items during lactation to improve the quality of breast milk. Result also shows that there were significant differences across hindu caste rural than their urban counterpart and the Lodha participants with respect to all the variables related to food taboo. Conclusions: Cultural practices have influenced the health behaviour like breastfeeding practices of the lactating mothers.
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Education of Scheduled Tribes is of particular importance in the perspective of country planning and resource development as it is one of the primary agents of change towards development and determines employment prospects. Lack of education of Tribal students is a major concern, as they lag behind their socio-economic, cultural and educational background. The investigator in current tries to investigate the social- economic and personal barriers faced by tribal students in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir with respect to gender. The information related problems is obtained through the self-constructed questionnaire, scheduled tribe secondary school students are the participant for the present study. The study depicted a noteworthy variance among the male and female students; female scheduled tribe's students have faced more Social, Economic and Personal problems as compare to their male counterparts
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Strati?cation on the basis of caste is found all over India. Caste system as a form of strati?cation has a stronghold in urban slum areas also. City-ward migration for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe populations is synonymous with social development, as the city life offers socio-economic opportunities, better standards of living, educational and health facilities as compared to rural areas. The proportion of Scheduled Castes was higher in the slum areas (28.10%) compared to the population of Scheduled tribe in the country (21.19%). The state of Maharashtra has the largest number of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes living in urban slums. Andhra Pradesh had highest share of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe slum population in urban SC/ST population compared with other states
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Aim: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of undernutrition in terms of low birth weight, stunting, wasting, and underweight among children up to 3 years of age. Materials and Methods: We recruited 150 children of the Bhoksa Tribe aged between 2 to 36 months. Information related to nutritional indicators (length-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-length) of the child and socio-demographic variables of the household were collected. Results: The prevalence of undernutrition in terms of low birth weight, stunting, wasting, and underweight was 15.4%, 32%, 29.98%, and 36.66%, respectively. The prevalence percentage of undernutrition was high among girls but the difference based on sex was not significant. A significant difference in mean birth weight was observed between low and high SES (2.45 kg v/s 2.93 kg). Conclusion: High prevalence of undernutrition concerning birth weight among the children of the Bhoksa Tribe was observed which may be due to socioeconomic inequality in the population.
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Background & objectives: Contrary to overall declining trend in smokeless tobacco (SLT) use in India, an increase is observed in north-east (NE) India. This study examined the predictors of daily SLT use by gender and assessed the demographic and socio-economic characteristics that contribute to gender differences in SLT use in NE India. Methods: Data collected from 15,259 and 13,574 adults in the two rounds of Global Tobacco Adult Survey 1 and 2 for NE India during 2009-2010 and 2016-2017 were analyzed. Relative change, multivariable binary logistic regression and Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis were used for analysis. Results: The findings suggest that among women in NE India, the daily SLT use significantly increased by 58 per cent between 2009-2010 to 2016-2017. Women residing in Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura were 3.5 and 2.5 times, respectively more likely to be daily SLT users compared to those in Assam. While age, education and wealth were the significant predictors of SLT use in both women and men, increased odds of SLT use were observed with women’s type of occupation and the State of residence. The majority of the gender differences in daily SLT use was explained by differences in work status (44%), age (26%), education (14%) and wealth status (9%) between men and women. Interpretation & conclusions: Increasing prevalence of SLT use amongst women in the NE States necessitates integration of gender-specific messages on harmful effects of SLT in the ongoing tobacco control programmes and development of culturally appropriate community-based interventions for cessation of SLT use.
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Background: There is a dominant role of informal healthcare providers (IHPs) in the current cultural and sociological context of tribal communities. They outnumber formal health‑care providers, thus bridging the gap between existing and nonexisting public health facilities despite not having formal training or accreditation. Objectives: The study examines the role, relevance, and extent of abortion services provided by IHPs‑ in Jharkhand among three Scheduled Tribe groups. Materials and Methods: Based on in‑depth interviews with 15 IHPs and 42 married women among three Scheduled Tribe groups in three districts of Jharkhand, a qualitative study was conducted. Interview guidelines addressed reasons for preferring IHP services, their scope of practice, dissemination, and quality of services. Results: The majority of women seeking abortions used traditional contraceptives, which often resulted in unwanted pregnancies. The economic, cultural, social, access to services, and confidence factors encouraged women to seek abortion services from IHPs. There were differences in the nature of access to abortion services among tribal groups. The Chero and Korwa tribes continued to rely heavily on simpler life technologies that shaped their beliefs and practices regarding reproduction. The Ho tribe, however, preferred to use the formal health‑care system since they were close to a more complex society. Conclusion: IHP plays a significant role in the social structure of Tribes, demonstrating their marginalization in access to formal health‑care services. Eventually, they replaced traditional healers with their function as physicians.
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Background:The practice of inflicting cuts (incisions) on the anterior abdominal wall to treat splenomegaly of various causes is a very common one in some parts of Edo State, Nigeria. Such incisions may result in several complications including sepsis (especially inchildren who are the major targets); massive blood loss leading to symptomatic anemia that may require blood transfusions or lead to death and massive keloidal growth as sequelae in some of the patients. This practice is a long-termpractice of the Esan people of the central part of Edo State Nigeria. This study aims to identify the factors that continue to make this practice attractive to members of the community, the common complications encountered, and how to develop an advocacy tool for health education and promote the health-seeking behavior of the populace.Methods:This was a prospective community based cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted in all the 5 Esan speaking local government areas of Edo State where this practice is very common. The study was done between January 2017 and June 2018. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire by previously trained researchers, after pretesting and validation. The questionnaire was administered on 700 adults, however, 500 were returned. The data obtained were summarized as frequencies and percentages.Results:The majority of the participants were middle-aged. Ninty-five percent (95%) of respondents were aware of the practice of abdominal scarification and 80% of them think itis effective. It was mainly carried out by herbalists in 95% of the respondents. Half of the respondents were unaware of any complications associated with the procedure. Conclusion:Abdominal scarification is a common practice among the Esan people of south-south Nigeria. They believe it's effective, affordable, and risk-free. This is despite the availability of effective alternatives in orthodox medicine. There is, therefore, a need for advocacy and health education considering the dangers and complications associated with the practice
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Aim: The present study was conducted to investigate the status and diversity of plant species used for rearing of Eri silkworm and their traditional management in the homegardens of Mishing tribe.Methodology: A total of 45 homegardens from three villages were surveyed randomly which were primarily associated with rearing of Eri silkworm. Vegetation was studied using quadrat method. The data on traditional knowledge associated with the management of plants species for rearing of Eri silkworm were collected using semi structured questionnaires. Results: The average size of studied homegardens was 0.35 ha. A total of 243 plant species were recorded from the studied homegardens of which six species were used as food plants for rearing of Eri silkworm and 10 species were used in construction of mountage. Trees related to Eri culture contributed to 37.47% of the total importance value index (IVI) in the studied homegardens. Heteropanax fragrans (Roxb.) Seem and Ricinus communis L. were the primary food plants of Eri silkworm and were found to be dominant in the homegardens. Activities such as land preparation, sowing, pruning, weeding and watering are carried out for the management of Eri silkworm food plant species and were found to vary for different species. Interpretation: There is an urgent need to document the indigenous knowledge and traditional practices associated with the management of host and food plants used in the rearing of Eri silkworm in the present day context as it is a part of their cultural heritage and should be reoriented through integration of modern farming technique.
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The history of the racial classification of the people of India can be looked at in three temporal phases: (1) at the nationallevel, the initial studies of racial classification attempted along with the Census of India; (2) at the regional level, studies byanthropologists and statisticians following systematic sampling and statistical procedures were conducted after the initialnational-level studies and (3) population-specific studies in different regions across the country including micro-evolutionary studies of individual populations followed the regional studies. Initially the racial classification was part of theCensus survey conducted by British anthropologists in some parts of the country among castes and tribes and was based ona few physical traits. This was followed by a systematic anthropometric survey in particulars regions (e.g., UP, Bengal, etc.)by anthropologists and statisticians. This was followed by population specific micro-evolutionary studies across differentregions by numerous anthropologists investigating the role of selection, drift, migration and admixture and other populationstructure variables among endogamous castes and tribes.
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The Indian history textbook for class eight published by the National Council for Educational Research and Training includes a plethora of images, and readers are encouraged to look at them critically. There is a clear effort to teach history through the visuals. This research is primarily concerned about the representation of the historical stories of the tribal people of India and thus it only closely analyzes the chapter four that is dedicated to the stories of the tribal people. Moreover, this paper critically examines three pictures of the tribal people of India, taken by an internationally recognized photo journalist Sunil Janah, that have been attached to the forth chapter of the book. This is an effort to show the contrast between the stories behind the pictures in their original context, with the new stories that the same pictures depict in a very different context in the textbook. The changed meaning of the pictures and the way they are used in the textbook shows an ignorance of telling the history of the tribal people in their own way. A closer look will reveal the dominance of highly colonized ideology that encourages the book writers to dehumanize a very diverse Indian tribal community and neglect their identity by putting them under one umbrella term. Also, the same ideology reflects when the book attempts to tell their stories in an apathetic and monotonous way.
O livro de história indiano para a classe oito publicada pelo Conselho Nacional de pesquisa educacional e formação inclui uma infinidade de imagens, e os leitores são encorajados a olhar para estas criticamente. Há um esforço claro em ensinar a história através do visual. Esta pesquisa é principalmente preocupada com a representação das estórias históricas do povo tribal da Índia e, para tanto, analisa detalhadamente em seu capítulo quatro as histórias do povo tribal. Além disso, este artigo examina criticamente três fotos do povo tribal da Índia, tiradas por um jornalista fotográfico internacionalmente reconhecido, Sunil Janah, que foram anexadas ao capítulo quatro do livro. Este é um esforço para mostrar o contraste entre as histórias por trás das imagens em seu contexto original, com as novas histórias que as mesmas imagens retratam em um contexto muito diferente no livro didático. O significado alterado das imagens e a maneira como elas são usados no livro didático, mostra uma ignorância em contar a história das pessoas tribais em sua própria maneira. Um olhar mais atento revelará a predominância da ideologia altamente colonizada que incentiva os escritores do livro a desumanizar uma comunidade tribal indiana muito diversa e a negligenciar sua identidade ao colocá-la embaixo de um guarda-chuva de um só termo. Além disso, a mesma ideologia se revela quando o livro tenta contar suas histórias de uma forma apática e monótona.
El libro de texto de historia de la India para la clase ocho publicado por el Consejo Nacional de Investigación y Capacitación Educativa incluye una gran cantidad de imágenes, y se anima a los lectores a mirarlas críticamente. Hay un claro esfuerzo por enseñar a la historia a través de las imágenes. Esta investigación es principalmente preocupante de la representación de las historias históricas del pueblo tribal de la India y por lo tanto sólo analiza de cerca el capítulo cuatro que está dedicado a las historias del pueblo tribal. Además, este documento examina críticamente tres imágenes del pueblo tribal de la India, tomadas por un periodista fotográfico reconocido internacionalmente, Sunil Janah, que se han adjuntado al capítulo cuatro del libro. Este es un esfuerzo para mostrar el contraste entre las historias detrás de las imágenes en su contexto original, con las nuevas historias que las mismas imágenes representan en un contexto muy diferente en el libro de texto. El significado cambiado de las imágenes y la forma en que se utilizan en el libro de texto, muestran una ignorancia de contar la historia del pueblo tribal a su manera. Una mirada más cercana revelará el dominio de la ideología altamente colonizada que alienta a los escritores de libros a deshumanizar a una comunidad tribal india muy diversa y descuidar su identidad poniéndolos bajo un término general. Además, la misma ideología se refleja cuando el libro intenta contar sus historias de una manera apática y monótona.
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Livres illustrés , Histoire , Inde , Groupes de population , Apprentissage , Processus mentauxRÉSUMÉ
Background and Objective: In cephalometry, parameters like the head length, head width and cephalic index arevery important in the description of human morphology, variation in different gender and races of humanpopulation and making comparison between healthy individuals and clinical patients. Furthermore, they canalso be used to categorize human head morphology into different types and to make comparative study ofdifferent human populations. This comparative study was carried out to describe the cranial morphologyamong adolescent and young adult individuals of Bini and Igbo ethnic groups in Nigeria.Methodology: This study involved 260 Bini and 245 Igbo subjects between ages 11 – 25 years. The head lengthof each subject was measured between the glabella and inion while the head breadth measured between theparietal prominences using spreading and sliding calipers. The cephalic index of each subject was calculatedas the ratio of the head breadth to it length expressed as a percentageResults: The mean cephalic indices among the two tribes were higher in males than in females in all the agegroups studied. With increasing age, the cephalic index value decreases among the Bini tribe but increasesamong the Igbo tribe. Based on the morphological classification of the cephalic index values, the brachycephalichead type was the most prevalent among both Bini (55.4%) and Igbo (66.9) tribes while the least common headtype among the Bini and Igbo tribes were hyperbrachycephalic (8.1%) and dolicephalic (0.4%) respectively.Conclusion: The cephalic index demonstrated inter-tribal variation, prominent intra-tribal sexual dimorphismand brachycephalization is the dominant trend in cranial morphology of both Bini and Igbo tribes in Nigeria.
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@#Postpartum is recognized as a critical period in many cultures, when societies view mothers as vulnerable. A longitudinal qualitative study of pregnant women in the rural area of Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, Indonesia was conducted to explore cultural beliefs and practices during the postpartum period. Ethnography approach was performed and the data on the postpartum period are presented. Intensity sampling was used to select informants from Muara Kaman Ulu and Ilir villages, Muara Kaman Sub district, Kutai Kartanegara and in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 Kutai postpartum women, two midwives, and two traditional birth attendants. Data analyses were conducted using the thematic analysis method. The main health problem occurring in the postpartum period is called “kamboh”. It is a whole body ache with many symptoms, mainly fever, becoming skinny, with burning sensation that suddenly appears on the legs, itchiness and shivering. In order to prevent it women should undergo dietary and physical activity restrictions for 40 days. Certain foods were perceived as the possible causes of the itchy condition, delayed wound healing and hemorrhage. Following the traditional taboo, going outside the house and working hard were restricted. Close families andtraditional birth attendants play important roles to ensure compliance of postpartum women to these restrictions. Understanding of cultural beliefs during the postpartum period is critical to support women. Therefore, health promotion interventions with particular attention to diet and physical activity should be designed by taking into account the local practices.
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Introduction: Cephalic index, the percentage of breadth to length in any skull. Cephalic index is useful inestablishing ethnic differences and affiliations and very useful to find out racial differences.Materials and Methods: The present study consisted of acquisition of anthropometric data for Gond tribe andnon-tribe boys from the same area. A total number of 279 Gond tribe boys and 282 non tribe boys were examinedfor the Head length & Head Breadth using spreading caliper. The index was calculated from measurement of thediameters of the skull. Descriptive analysis was carried out and comparative statistics was used to observedifference between Gond tibe boys and Non-tribe boys on various anthropometric measurements and mean,standard deviation, student, t- test, p value was computed to see the relationship between anthropometricvariables.Results: Most of the Gond Tribe boys were Mesocephalic (26%) and Brachycephalic (31%), while most of the NonTribe boys were Mesocephalic (27%), Brachycephalic (27%) and hyper Brachycephalic (27%). Few among bothGond tibe boys and Non-tribe boys were Hyperdolicocephalic and Ultra-brachycephalic.Conclusion: In the present study we conclude that not a single head form can be defining attributes of the twogroups. As head form of both GT and NT were overlapping most of them were Mesocephalic & Brachycephalictype. There is need to conduct anthropometric & genetic studies to backup these observed anthropometricsimilarities. Such data is of great medico legal and forensic importance which indicates that Cephalic Index canbe used as marker of ethnicity, and race as it is an important parameter in forensic medicine, anthropology andgenetics to know the sex and racial differences between individuals
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Background & objectives: the level of infant and child mortality is high among Scheduled Tribes particularly those living in rural areas. This study examines levels, trends and socio-demographic factors associated with infant and child mortality among scheduled tribes in rural areas. Methods: Data from the three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of India from 1992 to 2006 were analysed to assess the levels and trends of infant and child mortality. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used to understand the socio-economic and demographic factors associated with mortality during 1992–2006. Results: Significant change was observed in infant and child mortality over the time period from 1992-2006 among Scheduled Tribes in rural areas. After controlling for other factors, birth interval, household wealth, and region were found to be significantly associated with infant and child mortality. Hazard of infant mortality was highest among births to mothers aged 30 yr or more (HR=1.3, 95% CI=1.1-1.7) as compared with births to the mother’s aged 20-29 yr. Hazard of under-five mortality was 42 per cent (95% CI=1.3-1.6) higher among four or more birth order compared with the first birth order. The risk of infant dying was higher among male children (HR = 1.2, 95% CI=1.1-1.4) than among female children while male children were at 30 per cent (HR=0.7, 95% CI=0.6-0.7) less hazard of child mortality than female children. Literate women were at 40 per cent (HR=0.6, 95% CI=0.50-0.76) less hazard of child death than illiterate women. Interpretation & conclusions: Mortality differentials by socio-demographic and economic factors were observed over the time period (1992-2006) among Scheduled Tribes (STs) in rural India. Findings support the need to focus on age at first birth and spacing between two births.
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The south Indian State of Karnataka, once part of several kingdoms and princely states of repute in the Deccan peninsula, is rich in its historic, cultural and anthropological heritage. The state is the home to 42,48,987 tribal people, of whom 50,870 belong to the primitive group. Although these people represent only 6.95 per cent of the population of the State, there are as many as 50 different tribes notified by the Government of India, living in Karnataka, of which 14 tribes including two primitive ones, are primarily natives of this State. Extreme poverty and neglect over generations have left them in poor state of health and nutrition. Unfortunately, despite efforts from the Government and non-Governmental organizations alike, literature that is available to assess the state of health of these tribes of the region remains scanty. It is however, interesting to note that most of these tribes who had been original natives of the forests of the Western Ghats have been privy to an enormous amount of knowledge about various medicinal plants and their use in traditional/folklore medicine and these practices have been the subject matter of various scientific studies. This article is an attempt to list and map the various tribes of the State of Karnataka and review the studies carried out on the health of these ethnic groups, and the information obtained about the traditional health practices from these people.
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Background & objectives: Malaria is a serious public health concern in several parts of India, particularly in tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh (MP). Dindori district inhabitated by Baiga tribe, contributes about 15 per cent to the total malaria burden in MP. The tribal and other local inhabitants believe in magico-religious treatment of malaria and use modern health facilities only as second line of treatment. The present study was planned in the villages of one of the particularly vulnerable tribal group of MP, the Baigas. The objective of the study was to generate awareness and utilization of health services for malaria by establishing a communication strategy using local students and unemployed youths as agents of change. Methods: The study was undertaken in 47 villages and the need based IEC (information, education and communication) intervention was evaluated within four months of initiation by adopting before and after with control design. For both baseline and resurvey the households covered each time were 2350. Results: The baseline data generated revealed that around 53 per cent of the people in the study villages were aware of malaria. Among the non Baigas, 59 per cent were aware of malaria, while among the Baigas it was 49 per cent. IEC intervention could raise the level of awareness to malaria significantly with a net intervention effect of 23 per cent. The IEC intervention also improved the utilization of modern health services significantly. Interpretation & conclusions: The IEC strategy designed by using local children and youths was effective as the malaria was on decline in the study area. The same strategy with necessary modifications may be replicated in other areas pandemic for malaria.
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Objective To investigate the physiological characteristics and the association with low prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Keriyans,a nomadic tribe,in the Taklimakan Desert.Methods An epidemiological survey focusing on diet and standardized physical examinations were made in a randomly selected natural population of 508 Keriyans individuals residing in the Taklimakan desert.In addition,237 of Uyghur subjects from Yutian county were enrolled as controls.Results Between these two populations,statistical significances were observed in body mass index (BMI) [(21.25 ± 3.10 vs 22.66 ± 4.18) kg/m2,P＜0.05],blood pressure (P＜0.01),triglyceride [TG,(0.98 ± 0.77 vs 1.50 ± 1.29) mmol/L,P＜0.01],total cholesterol [TC,(2.23 ± 1.02 vs 3.26 ± 0.85) mmol/L,P＜0.01],low density lipoprotein-cholesterol[LDL-C,(1.41 ± 0.68) mmol/L,P＜0.01],fasting blood glucose [(4.43 ± 1.19 vs 5.56 ± 1.39) mmol/L,P＜0.01],fat and salt intake (P＜0.05).The Keriyans had a low incidence of hypertension(9.94％ vs 29.11％,P＜0.01),raised blood cholesterol and diabetes mellitus(2.2％ vs 11.91％,P＜0.01) compared with the control group.The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 0.6％ (3/500) in Keriyans and 13.62％ (32/235) in the control group.The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Keriyans was much lower than that in the control group (P＜0.01).The caloric intake in keriyans group was lower tha than in the control group [(1 502.341 vs 2106.870) kcal,P ＜ 0.01].Conclusions The preliminary results showed that the physiological characteristics with low BMI,blood glucose,and the low levels of TG,TC,LDL-C,as well as they were inured to low salt loading,little smoking and no alcohol drinking,and natural living environment free from pollution,these factors might be associated with the low prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Keriyans.And their low calorie intake might be the most important factor of their low prevalence of metabolic syndrome.