Anthropometric data, physical activity and nutritional status, in a population of rural adults of North Africa (Algeria)

Abstract

An anthropometric study of Algerian date-palm farmers was carried out. Thirty-six body dimensions were measured. Mean, variation measures, percentiles, 4 indices, and correlation coefficients between body dimensions were calculated. Effects of age were studied. Data of Algerian farmers and farmers from both developed and developing countries are compared. Body dimensions results were presented in one table so that they can easily be used by designers. It has been found that both stature and weight correlated significantly with many body dimensions. In addition, age was found to affect body height and weight. Moreover, it was found that stature and weight have increased with time. These days farmers are taller and heavier than farmers of the 1960s. Algerian farmers are also taller and heavier than farmers of many developing countries. However, when Algerians are compared with the farmers of developed countries, they are shorter and lighter.The physical dimensions of the workplace are very important because small changes can have a considerable impact on worker health, safety, and productivity. Therefore, this study was completed to provide anthropometric data that can be used to design or redesign agricultural machines, tools and equipment. Date-palm agriculture is still done traditionally in most of the date-palm producing countries. The introduction of ergonomically designed technology will improve the date-palm industry.