Use of Composite Anthropometric Indices as an Alternative to Body Weight for Evaluation of Nutritional Status

Body weight has been used for a long time as an index of protein energy malnutrition. Attempts have been made to use arm or calf circumference and indices like weight for height (%) and weight/height' in place of body weight for evaluation of nutritional status, Some of the studies have shown that combination of height with weight for height or weight/height or circumference of arm or calf, would be better for assessment of various forms of clinical malnuturition and [growth retardation. Such studies on the children of Rajasthan and other northern parts of India have been very limited. In the present study using the data available on Rajasthani preschool children, an attempt has been made to assess whether a combination of anthropometric measurements or indices, is better for evaluation of various grades of undernutrition based on body weight.