Changes in body size, shape and nutritional status of middle-class Bengali boys of Kolkata, India, 1982--2002.
Growth changes over time among school-aged boys in Kolkata, India, have been investigated using two surveys: 1982--1983 (n=816) and 1999--2002 (n=1187). The two surveys were implemented according to highly similar protocols which strongly adds to the reliability and accuracy of the results of the study. Age-specific average height, weight and BMI all increased during these two decades (by respectively, 3.2cm, 6.1kg and 2.1kg/m2), while relative sitting height and sitting height-subischial leg length ratio decreased for almost all ages between 7.0 and 16.0 years. Moreover, the prevalence of stunting and thinness declined (stunting from 11.2% to 4.9%, p<0.01, thinness from 50.5% to 22%, p<0.01), while the prevalence of overweight increased (from 4.7% to 17.2%, p<0.01). Through analysis of variance, the relationships between various socio-economic factors and anthropometric traits are analyzed. Factors strongly related with positive changes in anthropometric traits are maternal education and family expenditure.
Dasgupta
Parasmani
P
Biological Anthropology Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 203 B.T. Road, Kolkata 700035, India.
Saha
Rana
R
Nubé
Maarten
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D015992:Body Mass Index; D049628:Body Size; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D050177:Overweight / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012924:Social Conditions; D013851:Thinness / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology