Exploring Indigenous Dietary Practices and Baseline Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) in the Baiga Tribe of Central India

Background : The Baiga tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in Madhya Pradesh, India, experiences high levels of malnutrition and socio-economic disadvantage. Their traditional diets, shaped by agro-forestry-based subsistence practices and foraging, are threatened by environmental, policy, and socio-economic changes. Understanding these diets and related nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) is essential for culturally appropriate interventions. We aim to document and analyse the traditional diets of the Baiga community, assess baseline nutrition-related KAP, and identify strategies to address key nutrient gaps. Methods : Twenty-one indigenous dishes were consolidated into 15 meal templates, combined into seven daily dietary patterns, and analysed using Nutritics software. Nutrient intakes were compared to reference intakes (RI). A baseline KAP survey (n = 226) assessed nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Results : Diets were predominantly plant-based, featuring millets, pulses, forest-gathered leafy greens, and seasonal vegetables. Average daily energy intake was 2183 kcal (109% RI), with sufficient protein (120% RI) and carbohydrate (169% RI). Several micronutrients, including iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, and iodine, met or exceeded RI, whereas vitamin D, B12, calcium, zinc, vitamin E, and select B vitamins were inadequate. KAP scores indicated comparable knowledge across communities, but better nutrition-related practices in Kandawani (p < 0.05). Conclusions : The Baiga diet is largely nutritionally adequate, culturally appropriate, and sustainable, though gaps in key micronutrients persist. Interventions should focus on preserving traditional foods, promoting practical nutrition education, and engaging women and youth in co-creating culturally relevant recipe resources. Continued research is needed to characterise nutrient composition, health impacts, and cultural significance of traditional tribal diets. Information © The Authors 2026