RESUMO
Many indices are available to evaluate adiposity. A new index, body adiposity index (BAIp) (expressed in % fat) for children [Hip circumference (cm)/ Height (m)0.8) – 38] has been developed (El Aarbaoui et al., 2013). The objective of the present study was to use the index in a sample of preschool children to understand the association between BAIp and other anthropometric characteristics estimating adiposity. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and the participants were 2- to 5-year-old preschoolers (505 boys and 463 girls) from Purulia district in West Bengal, India. Anthropometric measurements recorded were height, weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC); derived indices were body mass index (BMI) and adiposity measures including waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), conicity index (CI) and BAIp. Results: Mean age of the participants was 4.03 years. Significant sex differences (p< 0.05) of anthropometric characteristics were found with respect to the mean values of body weight, BMI, HC, WHR, CI, and BAIp. Mean value of BAIp was higher in girls (13.0%fat) than in boys (12.28%fat). The BAIp was highly correlated (p< 0.05) to WHtR (r= 0.87 in boys, 0.86 in girls) than to BMI (r= 0.36 in boys, 0.41 in girls) and CI (r= 0.52 in boys, 0.46 in girls). In linear regression models, adiposity measures were observed to be significantly related to BAIp in preschoolers; age and sex were other predictors; coefficient was highest for WHtR (78.89) and least for WC (0.34). Conclusion: The results confirmed the existing hypothesis that BAIp, as an index for the assessment of children’s body fatness, works with acceptable accuracy.
RESUMO
A cross-sectional study was undertaken to investigate anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status among adult male (18 years and above) Oraons (n = 290), a tribe in the Ranchi District of the state of Jharkhand in India. The anthropometric characteristics (stature, body weight and mid upper arm circumference or MUAC) were categorised into three age-groups (18-39 years, 40- 59 years and 60 years and above). This particular investigation recorded a low (18.48Kg/m2) body mass index (BMI) and a high frequency of under-nutrition (53.10% chronic energy deficiency or CED) among the adult Oraons. BMI and CED of the adult Oraons were also compared with some populations of eastern India. It is noted that 38.28% of adult Oraons suffer from under-nutrition when the nutritional status of their population is evaluated by the standard cut-off points of MUAC. Pearson correlations of BMI and MUAC with age exhibited significantly (p< 0.001) negative correlations among the Oraons. Correlations between BMI and MUAC in their population showed a high significance (p<0.0001). Significant age-related variations (tested by one-way ANOVA) in anthropometric parameters were observed in the Oroan population. Linear regression analyses revealed more or less significant negative impacts of age on BMI and MUAC in the population.