Correlates of Body Composition and Nutritional Status of 9-12 Year Old School Going Children in Kochi

Assessment of body composition is important in the management of many illnesses as well as in the assessment of nutritional status. Human body composition varies widely from one population to another, as age related patterns of changes in body size and composition differ among populations. The study was conducted in 63 urban children of age 9-12 years from two schools in Ernakulam District, Kerala by purposive sampling method. Interview schedule was used for data collection. Anthropometric parameters of the subjects namely weight, height, body mass index, mid upper arm circumference, waist and hip circumference, waist hip ratio, sum of skin fold thickness were taken. Body composition was computed by two equations namely Mcardle et al and Deurenberg predictive equations. The collected data was analyzed by appropriate statistical analysis. On classifying the subjects according to BMI percentiles it was observed that 17.9 per cent of boys and 8.4 per cent of girls belong to the underweight, 10.3 per cent and 20.8 per cent of boys and girls were overweight respectively. The remaining had a normal BMI. The body fat per cent calculated using Deurenberg Predictive equation (1991) was 16.4 percent in boys and 20.4 percent in girls and by McArdle Predictive equations (1986) was 15.9 percent in boys and 16.8 percent in girls. On studying Pearson's correlation of anthropometric parameters with per cent body fat it was evident that there exists a positive correlation (P<.01) between all the anthropometric parameters and per cent body fat, indicating that there is an increase in the anthropometric dimensions of an individual. On studying, Pearson's correlation between SSFT and anthropometric parameters, it was evident that there exists a positive correlation (P<.01) between all the anthropometric parameters indicating increased subcutaneous fat. On studying the Pearson's correlation of nutrient intake with per cent body fat and fat mass, it was found that there was no significant correlation between these parameters. The findings provide a picture of the correlates of body composition and nutritional status of school going children aged 9-12 years.