Factors Associated with Nutritional Status of Adolescent Schoolchildren in Tripura

Among 893 adolescent school children from 31 schools, 78.9%were found to have normal body weight; prevalence of thinnessand overweight were 8.1% and 13%, respectively. Compared tothe National reference, 95th percentile value of Body Mass Indexwas higher; while both weight and height were lower. Literacy,economic and physical activity status were the most significantpredictors influencing nutritional status.

Effect of Gender and Body Mass Index on Pulmonary Function Tests in Adolescents of Tribal Population of a North Eastern State of India.

The present study was planned to assess the pulmonary function in tribal adolescents (age 12-16 yrs) of Tripura, a north eastern state of India, and to evaluate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on pulmonary functions of male and female subjects from tribal population. One hundred and seventeen male and seventy female subjects were selected for the study through a randomized method of sampling. Pulmonary function parameter recorded were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expired volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). Values of all the pulmonary function parameters recorded in female subjects were found to be lower than the male subjects. FVC, FEV1, PEFR, MEP recorded in subjects from both the sexes correlated significantly with BMI. The

Relationship Between Cardiovascular function and Markers of Adiposity in Young Female Subjects.

Background: Adiposity of a subject depends on pattern of distribution of body fat and is assessed by various anthropometric markers. Measurement of blood pressure and assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness are the two most important parameters to evaluate the cardiovascular functional status of a subject. Age, sex and genetics play vital role in development of adiposity and thus effect cardiovascular function of the subject from different ethnic back ground. Aims & Objective: The current study was designed to evaluate various anthropometric markers of adiposity, blood pressure and cardiorespiratory fitness in young female subjects from both nontribal (Bengali) and tribal community of Tripura, a north-eastern state of India and to evaluate the relationship between the markers of adiposity and cardiovascular function of the subject. Material and Methods: Seventy five nontribal (Bengali) and seventy five tribal female (18 -25 years of age) subjects were included in the study through random selection. The basal metabolic rate (BMI), the waist-hip ratio (WHR), the waist –height ratio (WHtR) and body fat (%) of the subjects were evaluated. The basal blood pressure of the subjects were recorded. The cardiorespiratory fitness of the subjects were evaluated by using Queen’s College Step Test. Results: There was no significant difference in the general characteristics of the subject from different ethnic background, except that the total body fat (%) was significantly less in tribal females. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure correlated positively with BMI, WHR and WHtR of the females from both the communities. There was a negative correlation between adiposity markers and cardiorespiratory fitness of the subject. Conclusion: The result of the present study suggests that obesity, especially central obesity, in young female subjects, reduces the cardiovascular fitness and increases the risk of prehypertension, irrespective of their ethnicity.

Physical fitness: a comparative study between students of residential (Sainik) and non-residential schools (aged 12-14 years).

Physical Fitness Index (PFI), of fifty Residential (Sainik) School children (Mean +/- SD, 13.18 +/- 0.48 yrs) and forty four Non-Residential school children (Mean +/- SD, 13.15 +/- 0.66 yrs) of Bijapur, Karnataka, was assessed by Harvard Step Test. Their height (cm), weight (kg), chest circumference (cm), and mid arm circumference (cm) were recorded as physical anthropometry. Body Mass Index (BMI) was also calculated (kg/m2). Results indicated that Non-Residential School children had poor physical anthropometry and showed a less PFI score (Mean +/- SD, 60.56 +/- 13.49), as compared to Residential (Sainik) School children (Mean +/- SD, 85.7 +/- 16.91). Regular physical activity with uniform diet and better physical composition attributed higher physical fitness in the children of Residential (Sainik) school in comparison to their sedentary Non-Residential counter part.

Maximal expiratory pressure in residential and non-residential school children.

OBJECTIVE: Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP) is a powerful indicator for respiratory muscle strength, which reflects the ability of a person to cough effectively. METHODS: The present study was designed on healthy respiratory symptom free children of a Residential - Sainik (50) and Non-Residential (44) school children (aged 12-14 yrs) of Bijapur, to evaluate MEP in relation to their physical anthropometry. MEP (mm Hg) was determined by using a modified Black's apparatus, which is significantly higher in Residential-Sainik school children in comparison to Non-Residential school children (p < 0.01). RESULTS: In both groups, MEP showed positive correlation with height (Residential, r = 0.72, p < 0.001; Non-Residential, r = 0.73, p < 0.001); weight (Residential, r = 0.73, p < 0.001; Non-Residential, r = 0.69, p < 0.001), BSA (Residential, r = 0.79, p < 0.001; Non-Residential, r = 0.72, p < 0.001) and BMI (Residential, r = 0.48, p < 0.01; Non-Residential, r = 0.34, p < 0.05), and also revealed a higher MEP in children with greater chest expansion. CONCLUSION: Possibly, routine physical exercise in residential Sainik school children attribute to their better respiratory muscle strength.