Anthropometric measurements of school children of Raichur, (Karnataka)

Pushpa Bharati, Sunanda Itagi, S Megeri
2005 Julia. and Clin Nutr   unpublished
This study deals with assessment of anthropometric characteristics and dietary intake of boys undergoing military training. 90 boys aged 13-16 yrs were purposively chosen. Body fat was calculated based on skinfolds at biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac. 24 hour's food intake data was collected for consecutive 3 days and energy and energy yielding nutrients were computed. Comparisons were done using 't' test. Correlations were derived using Pearson's Product Moment Coefficient of
more » ... tion. Boys aged 13-14 and 15-16 yrs were found heavier than the standards for age and height. Body mass index correlated significantly with weight and body fat % (r = 0.5211 to 0.9235, p<0.01). Waist hip ratio increased with age and showed direct relationship with weight (0.1264, p>0.05 for 13-14; 0.4262, 0.010.05). Correlations of energy intake with triceps and subscapular skinfolds were found to be age dependent which indicates positive effect of dietary intake of food on weight gain. Arm anthropometry measures especially MUAMC and MUAMA showed very strong and positive relationship with intake of energy among subjects from age groups 13-14 and 14-15 yrs (r = 0.5664 to 0.5743, p<0.01); however, no such observations were seen for subjects from age group 15-16 yrs. It is concluded that various anthropometric measurements are correlated and dietary intake has clear impact on body dimensions and composition. Nutrition not only plays a role in growth and development in school going children and adolescents but it also helps to maintain body weight & other dimensions. For children and adolescents, the diet must therefore provide the optimal mixture of macro nutrients to fuel their special needs. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Auhor is thankful to Ms. Manjiri Patil for data collection.
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