Authors : TEJASHREE A. JOSHI AND PRAJAKTA J. NANDE
Page Nos : 266-270
Description :
The purpose of this study was to see the differences in anthropometric measurements, skinfold thickness & blood pressure among normal weight (NW), overweight (OW) and obese (O) school going girls (10-12 yrs; N=450: 50 each from 10+, 11+ & 12+ yrs). Subjects were purposively chosen. Anthropometric measurements including standing height, weight, mid upper arm (MUAC), waist & hip circumference as well as skinfolds at triceps & subscapular were measured. Blood pressure of subjects was also measured. The results suggest that the mean values of standing height of NW girls of all age groups (10+, 11+ &12+ yrs) were higher as compared with the mean values of OW & O girls. Mean values of weight, MUAC, waist & hip circumference, waist to hip ratio (WHR), measures of triceps & subscapular & blood pressure parameters of OW & O girls were found to be greater than NW girls indicating adverse effects of obesity which if not controlled can lead to many obesity related health issues in future. The study concluded that there is a vast difference between the school going girls aged 10+, 11+ & 12+ yrs for anthropometric measurements, skinfold thicknesses & blood pressure. From public health perspective, this study emphasizes the importance of primary prevention of overweight from early childhood with continuation of health promotion activities throughout the course of life.
Keywords: Anthropometric measurements, skinfolds, obese & overweight
