Disparity in leg circumferences and energy and macronutrients intake: Comparitive study between aganwadi and kindergarten preschool girls

Abstract

Waist circumference (WC) & hip circumference (HC) are helpful in identifying the degree of obesity & under nutrition in children whereas thigh circumference (TC) & calf circumference (CC) are related with body weight. Rounder the body girth, higher the body weight. These measurements vary with macronutrient intake. This study deals with the differences in body circumferences of preschool girls aged 3–5 years from anganwadi (AW) & kindergarten (KG). Total 150 girls from age group 3+, 4+ & 5+ years from well known AW & KG from Nagpur city were studied purposively. Body circumferences like waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), thigh circumference (TC) & calf circumference (CC) were measured at 0, 6 & 12 months of study period of one year. Based on three day's dietary recall, nutrient intake of subjects was calculated at the beginning (0 month) & at the end (12 month) of the study period. Mean values of waist & hip circumference of KG girls was found to be significantly larger than AW girls. Mean energy & protein intake of girls from KG from all age groups was found to be higher than girls from AW and also higher as compared to recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). Age wise, KG girls possessed greater mean values of TC & CC than AW girls. Energy intake correlated positively with WC, HC, TC & CC & coefficient values were found to be stronger for KG girls.