Abstract: Height and weight measurements are important factors relating to growth and development and nutritional status of children and adolescents. The young age period is nutritionally significant because this is the prime time to build.
Aims and Objectives: The prime objective of the present study is to estimate and compare the height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and nutritional status among Haryanvi males and females of 5.00- 20.99 years of age.
Subjects: This study is carried out on a total of 800 subjects i.e. 400 males and 400 females of age ranging from 5.00-20.99 years. Subjects are further subdivided into eight age groups ranging from 5.00-20.99 years.
Methods: Height and weight of the subjects is measured using standard anthropometric techniques given by Lohman et al 1988. BMI is computed for each individual. Further subjects are categorized under Normal, underweight and overweight according to International Classification of underweight, overweight and obesity according to body mass index (BMI) given by WHO(2002).
Results: It is found that females are lacking far behind in weight and height as compare to males.All the females from the age group 5.00-6.99 years categories underweight and severe thin (100%) whereas overweight females are present only in 19.00-20.99 age group i.e. 34% in pre-obese category. Results indicate only 2% of males from age group 17.00-18.99 years lie under the underweight category followed by the 32% subjects of the age group 5.00-6.99 years. Among all the age groups male subjects predominantly belong to either normal or overweight category.
Conclusion: Improper dietary habits and unawareness of balanced diet in young growing males and females leads to the various related metabolic syndromes. This suggests that there is need for nutrition and health awareness among the Haryanvi parents and their children.
Keywords: BMI, Underweight, Overweight, Haryanvi males and females, Anthropometry.
Title: Trends in gross body measurements and nutritional status of young Haryanvi males and females of India – A comparative anthropometric assessment
Author: Abhilasha, Ajitpal Singh
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
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