Bengalee Hindu Research Articles

Waist circumference in determining obesity and hypertension among 18–60 years old Bengalee Hindu male slum dwellers in Eastern India

Background: Waist circumference (WC) has been previously shown to be the most efficient measure to explain variability in body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (PBF) in Bengalee males, including those under study.Aim: The objective was to evaluate the relative usefulness of WC and its single suitable value, if any, to identify both generalized obesity and hypertension in Bengalee men.Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study included 433 adult (18–60 years) Bengalee Hindu slum dwelling men. Height, weight, waist circumference, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures were measured. BMI was computed as weight (in kg) divided by height (in metres) squared. Hypertension (HT) was defined as SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg. A BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 and ≥ 25 kg/m2 were considered overweight and obesity, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were employed to determine the best cut-off points to define HT and overweight.Results: Prevalence of HT, overweight and obesity were 17.6% and 20.1% and 8.3%, respectively. Prevalence of central obesity using the cut-offs of 102 cm, 90 cm and 80 cm were 0.46%, 5.08% and 24.7%, respectively. Both in obese and non-obese, WC ≥ 80 cm was significantly associated with higher SBP and DBP than WC < 80 cm. WC>79.4 cm and>80.3 cm were the most appropriate for detecting HT and overweight status.Conclusion: WC value of ∼80 cm could efficiently discriminate both obesity and hypertension among the Bengalee Hindu slum dwelling men aged between 18–60 years. Central obesity, determined by WC ≥ 80 cm, was associated with increased blood pressure and higher risk of HT, independent of age and general obesity.

Impact of social class on body fatness among rural pre-school Bengalee Hindu children of Arambagh, West Bengal, India

Body composition is a useful marker for assessing the adiposity of an individual. The amount of body fat (BF) differs with age, sex, environmental conditions and genotype, and is a good indicator of the health and nutritional status of a community. As the subcutaneous fat serves as a reservoir for energy during nutritional deprivation, lower BF in comparison with other studies indicates a lower energy intake by those children, who are affected by their lower socio-economic status. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of socio-economic class, after allowing for sex and age, on body fatness among rural pre-school children of Bengalee Hindu ethnicity of Arambagh, West Bengal, India. The present study was undertaken at 20 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme centers in Bali Gram Panchayat, Arambagh, Hooghly District of West Bengal, India. A total of 1012 boys and girls (aged 2–6 years) living in these areas were studied. The children were classified into two groups based on their social class: Schedule Castes (SC) and Non-Schedule Castes (NSC). In general, SC comprise socio-economically and educationally deprived individuals. Three-way analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of ethnicity on mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and sum of skinfolds (SS), allowing for age and sex. There was an increasing age trend in both these variables in both sexes in the two groups. All three factors had a significant effect on MUAC, whereas only age and social class had a significant impact on SS. In the case of MUAC, only one second order interaction (sex–age) was significant. In conclusion, we found that after controlling for age and sex, children belonging to the SC group had lower body fatness. These results implied that they were under more nutritional stress. There was also some evidence that at the early ages, girls belonging to the SC group probably received inadequate nutrition and as a result had lower body fat.

Central Adiposity, Body Mass Index and Percent Body Fat among Bengalee Hindu Male Slum Dwellers of Dum Dum, West Bengal, India

Central Adiposity, Body Mass Index and Percent Body Fat among Bengalee Hindu Male Slum Dwellers of Dum Dum, West Bengal, India

Central Adiposity, Body Mass Index and Percent Body Fat among Bengalee Hindu Male Slum Dwellers of Dum Dum, West Bengal, India

The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (PBF) with central adiposity measures varies between ethnic groups and it has not been much studied in low socio-economic groups in India. Therefore, this study was undertaken to test the relative efficacy of waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist hip ratio (WHR) and conicity index (CI) to predict BMI and PBF among Bengalee Hindu male slum dwellers. A total of 465 adult (aged 18-72 years) male slum dwellers of Bengalee Hindu ethnicity were included. Standard anthropometric techniques and formulae were used. WC showed the strongest significant (p < 0.001) partial correlation with BMI and PBF (0.82 and 0.77, respectively). Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses of BMI and PBF with the central adiposity measures revealed that WC had the strongest impact on BMI and PBF. On the other hand WHR, HC and CI had weaker effect. Moreover, WC alone accounted for about 67 and 60 per cent of the variations, respectively, of BMI and PBF. The models involving only WC and CI, explained almost similar proportions of variations (adjR 2 = 94.1, and 69.4, respectively). Furthermore, the WC was found to best predict BMI (R 2 Change = 0.666; F Change = 921.32, p < 0.001) and PBF (R 2 Change = 0.597; F Change = 686.66, p < 0.001). Even after controlling for each other, i.e., BMI and PBF (results not shown) WC had the strongest significant impact on these two measures. Therefore, in this population, WC may be preferred over other measures of central adiposity in studies dealing with obesity and cardio vascular disease risk factors.

Assessment of undernutrition by mid-upper arm circumference among Pre-school children of Arambag, Hooghly District, West Bengal, India: An observational study.

A cross sectional observational study of 894 children (441 boys and 453 girls) was undertaken at 20 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme Centres to determine their nutritional status using mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) in Bali Gram Panchayet, Arambag, Hooghly District of West Bengal, India. The study area consists of remote villages located approximately 100 km from Kolkata, the provincial capital of West Bengal. Information on age and ethnicity (all were of Bengalee Hindu ethnicity) of the children were collected from their parents following face to face interview and verified from official records. The measurement (in centimeters) was taken by the first author (GCM) following the standard technique. Nutritional status was determined following the World Health Organization age and sex-specific cut-off points. Results revealed that mean MUAC among boys was higher than girls at all ages except 5 years. Significant sex differences were observed at ages 3 (p < 0.005) and 4 (p < 0.05) years. The age-combined rates of overall (moderate + severe) undernutrition were similar in both sexes (boys = 66.2%; girls = 62.9%). This result implied that both the sexes were experiencing similar nutritional stress. The age-combined rates of moderate (boys = 57.4%; girls = 51.7%) and severe (boys = 8.8%; girls = 11.2%) undernutrition were also similar in both sexes. In general, there was an increasing trend in the rates of overall undernutrition from 3 to 5 years in both sexes. years affected by severe and moderate acute malnutrition were 44.85%, 18.07% and 2.29% respectively. In conclusion, our study clearly indicated that the nutritional status of these pre-school children was serious with very high rates of undernutrition in both sexes. Thus, it seems that there is scope for much improvement in the form of enhanced supplementary nutrition than what is currently being offered by the ICDS scheme in Arambag, Hooghly District of West Bengal. Therefore, it is imperative that the ICDS authorities urgently consider the enhancement of the supplementary nutrition being currently given to them. Funding: Gopal Chandra Mandal received financial assistance in the form of a Minor Research Project from the University Grants Commission, Government of India.

Anthropometric characteristics and nutritional status of rural school children

Undernutrition among children is a major public health problem in rural areas of developing countries like India. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of underweight, stunting and thinness among rural school children of Onda, Bankura District, India. A total of 454 (201 boys and 253 girls) Bengalee Hindu children aged 6-14 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Height and weight were measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Three indicators of nutritional status namely underweight, stunting and thinness, were used based on the National Centre of Heath Statistics (NCHS) < 2 Z score values. Mean Z scores for weight-for-age (WHZ), heightfor-age (HAZ) and BMI-for-age (BMIZ) were less than those of NCHS in both boys as well as girls. Public health problem of undernutrition was classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The overall age and sex combined prevalence of underweight, stunting and thinness were 16.9%, 17.2% and 23.1%, respectively. Both sexes had similar rates of stunting (boys = 14.4%; girls = 19.4%). However, there were significant (p < 0.05) sex differences in the frequency of underweight (chi-square = 3.97) and thinness (chi-square = 4.54). Significantly more boys were underweight (boys = 20.9%, girls = 13.8%) and thin (boys = 27.8%, girls = 19.4%). Based on the WHO classification of severity of malnutrition among children, the overall age and sex combined rates of underweight, stunting and thinness were medium (10-19%), low (< 20%) and very high (3 15%), respectively. While both boys (14.4%) and girls (19.4%) had low rates of stunting (< 20%), the rates for thinness among both sexes (boys = 27.8%, girls = 19.4%) were very high. The rates of underweight were high (20-29%) and medium (10-19%), among boys (20.9%) and girls (13.8%), respectively. In conclusion this study provided evidence that these children were under acute and chronic nutritional stress indicating the requirement of immediate appropriate public health nutritional intervention programmes.

Which Measure of Abdominal Adiposity Best Relates with Body Mass Index Among Older Bengalee Hindus of Kolkata, India? A Comparison of Three Measures

A cross-sectional study of 410 (210 men and 200 women) older (≥55 years) Bengalee Hindus of Kolkata, India, was undertaken to determine which measure of abdominal adiposity best relates with body mass index (BMI), an indicator of overall adiposity. Three measures of abdominal adiposity were studied: waist circumference (WC), waist–hip ratio (WHR), and conicity index (CI). Results revealed that, in both sexes, WC had the strongest partial (age controlled) correlations with BMI (men = 0.56, women = 0.80). Linear regression analyses demonstrated that BMI had the strongest significant impact on WC in both sexes. BMI alone accounted for 28.2 and 61.8% variation in WC in men and women, respectively. This strongest significant impact remained even after controlling for age. In conclusion, this study provides strong evidence that WC can be preferred over WHR and CI in studies dealing with BMI among older Bengalee Hindus. In particular, BMI and WC can be useful in studies dealing with aging and anthropometric characteristics among older Bengalees.

Maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight in relation to birth outcome among Bengalee Hindus of Kolkata, India

Objective: The study examined to what degree maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight is useful and efficient in predicting birth outcome of Bengalee women.Subjects and methods: The cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in a government general hospital in South Kolkata, India. This hospital serves the needs of people belonging to lower and lower middle class socio-economic groups. Data were collected by one-to-one interview for confirmation of age, history of last menstrual period (LMP) including medical disorders. Mother's weight was recorded at 14–18 weeks of pregnancy from the history of LMP. Birth weight was measured within 24 h of delivery and gestational age was assessed by Ballard's method using newborn physical and neurological maturity scoring. Of the 331 Bengalees, 295 mother–baby pairs met the recruitment criteria and were included in this study.Result: Mean ± SD maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight and birth weight were 45.9 ± 7.0 kg and 2612 ± 371 g, respectively. The difference in mean weight (3.74 kg) between mothers who delivered low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) babies was statistically significant (t = 4.497, p < 0.001). Overall, the prevalence of LBW was nearly 34%. A higher incidence of LBW and lower mean birth weight was observed in first quartile or low weight (≤40 kg) mothers. The rate of LBW decreased (χ2 = 14.47, p < 0.01) and mean birth weight increased significantly with increasing maternal weight (F = 9.218, p < 0.001). Risk ratio (RR) for LBW, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and preterm birth in low weight (first quartile or <40.0 kg) mothers were 2.72 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45–5.10), 3.54 (95% CI: 1.17–10.74) and 1.97 (95% CI: 0.56–6.90), respectively, compared with heavier (>50.0 kg) mothers. Finally, the present data showed that the maternal weight of <46.0 kg is the best cut-off for detecting LBW with 66% sensitivity and 75% negative predictive power.Conclusion: The findings suggest a positive association between maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight and birth outcome. The present study provided an efficient cut-off point for detecting LBW. Antenatal caregivers in health institutions and community health workers in the field can use this cut-off value for screening pregnant women at early second trimester.

Secular Trends in Measures of Cephalo-Facial Traits among Bengalee Boys Aged 7.0–16.0 Years from Kolkata between 1982–1983 and 1999–2001

While a large number of studies on secular trends have been performed on measures of stature, weight, trunk and limb dimensions, subcutaneous fatness and body composition, etc., less attention has been paid to cephalo-facial traits. This study reports on secular trends in five cephalo-facial traits (head length, head breadth, head circumference, bizygomatic breadth and morphological facial height) and two indices (cephalic index and facial index) in Bengalee Hindu boys between ages 7.0 and 16.0 years. The data set comes from two cross-sectional growth surveys carried out among the students of one particular Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) boys school with an interval of about 20 years (1982–1983 and 1999–2001). Identical protocol with respect to sampling, data collection, measuring technique and data analysis has been followed in both surveys. Except for morphological facial height (which showed negative secular trends), the other four cephalo-facial traits showed positive secular trends with varying magnitudes over the two decades. Cephalic index did not reveal any consistent pattern of change, while facial index showed a declining trend in the later survey.

Discriminant analysis by anthropometric measures in elderly Bengalee Hindus of Calcutta, India

Although a sizeable proportion of India's population is elderly (55 years and above), virtually no information exists on how well anthropometric measures could be utilized to correct age group size in elderly individuals. The present investigation was aimed to study how good anthropometric measures could be manoeuvre for corrected group size in the elderly Bengalee Hindu population of Calcutta, India. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 410 elderly (55 years and above) Bengalee Hindu individuals (men = 210, women = 200) utilizing various anthropometric measures, namely height, weight, body mass index (BMI), mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and triceps skinfold. A discriminant analysis was then undertaken separately for men and women using the above mentioned anthropometric measures. The results revealed that overall 77.1% for men and 78.6% for women of all cases were correctly classified. No individuals were misclassified in the predicted groups III and I for both the sexes. The most discriminating variable for the groups was triceps skinfold in both sexes. These results provided evidence that the anthropometric characteristics of group III and I were very different from each other with those belonging to group II having intermediate characteristics.

Age trends in anthropometric characteristics among 6-9 years old Bengalee Hindu school girls of Kolkata, India

A cross-sectional study of 431 6-9 years old urban Bengalee Hindu schoolgirls of Kolkata, India, was undertaken to study age trends in anthropometric characteristics including regional and subcutaneous adiposity. The anthropometric variables measured included height, weight, sitting height (SH), waist (WC), hip (HPC), thigh (TC), mid-upper arm (MUAC) and medial calf (MC) circumferences as well as triceps (TSF), biceps (BSF), subscapular SUBSF), suprailliac (SUPSF) and medial calf (MCASF) skinfolds. The results revealed, that there was a significant increasing age trend for all the anthropometric variables including the two derived variables: body mass index (BMI) and subischial leg length (SLL). For all variables, the lowest and the highest means were observed at the age of 6 and 9 years, respectively. The maximum increase in weight, BMI, all linear measurements, WC and HPC were observed during the period 6-7 years of age. In general, all skinfolds recorded similar yearly increments. More importantly, this study clearly indicated that among Bengalee girls aged 6-9 years, the highest amount of linear growth (height, SH and SLL) was observed at 6 years of age. The overall adiposity (BMI) also recorded the maximum increment during this period. The unique data presented here can be used as reference values for urban Bengalee Hindu girls aged 6-9 years.

The relationship of age, body mass index and waist circumference with blood pressure in Bengalee Hindu male jute mill workers of Belur, West Bengal , India

A cross-sectional study of 150 adult Bengalee Hindu male jute mill workers of Belur, a suburb of Kolkata, West Bengal, India, was undertaken to study the relationship of age, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean arterial (MAP) blood pressure. The mean age and the BMI of the subjects were 40.7 years (S.D. = 15.2) and 23.2 kg/m2 (S.D. = 3.2), respectively. The mean SBP, DBP and MAP were 124.7 mmHg (S.D. = 7.8), 81.5 mmHg (S.D. = 5.7) and 95.9 mmHg (S.D. = 6.1), respectively. Age had similar significant (p < 0.001) correlations with BMI and WC. Age and WC were significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with all the three blood pressure variables. In general, the correlations of BMI with SBP (r = 0.24, p < 0.01), DBP (r = 0.15, n.s.) and MAP (r = 0.19, p < 0.05) were weaker. Age controlled multiple regression analyses demonstrated that BMI did not have a significant effect of any blood pressure variable. However, WC had a significant impact (p < 0.0001) on SBP (t = 7.068), DBP (t = 5.190) and MAP (t = 6.387), even after adjusting for the effect of age. Moreover, even after age adjustment, percent variations in SBP (20.7%), DBP (12.5%) and MAP (17.2%) explained by WC were high. This significant impact (p < 0.0001) of WC on SBP (t = 9.426), DBP (t = 8.349) and MAP (t = 9.642) remained even after controlling for the combined effects of age and BMI.

Differences in body composition between pre-menarcheal and menarcheal Bengalee Hindu girls of Madhyamgram, West Bengal, India

A study on 111 pre-menarcheal (PMG) and 123 menarcheal (MG) Bengalee Hindu girls was undertaken to compare differences in their anthropometric and body composition characteristics. The mean ages of the PMG (12.5 years, SD = 1.2) and MG (12.6, SD = 1.1) subjects were similar. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, triceps, and calf skinfolds. Two derived indices (body mass index [BMI] and sum of skinfolds) and four body composition measures, percent body fat (PBF), fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), and fat mass index (FMI) were also studied. The mean, 25th, 50th, and 70th percentile values of age at menarche were 12.0, 11.1, 12.0 and 12.9 years, respectively. Results showed that MG had significantly (P < 0.001) higher mean values for all anthropometric and body composition variables. The difference in mean height, weight, and BMI were 10.5 cm, 11.0 kg, and 3.0 kg/m2, respectively. The differences between the two groups in mean PBF, FM, FFM, and FMI were 7.7%, 5.1 kg, 5.9 kg, and 2.0 kg/m2, respectively. The percent difference (after attainment of menarche) in mean FM and mean FFM were 50.5% and 19.9%, respectively. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that attainment of menarcheal status had significant impact on all four measures of body composition (PBF: P < 0.0001; FM: P < 0.0001; FFM: P < 0.0001; FMI: P < 0.001) independent of BMI. Using BMI as a covariate, results of ANOVA revealed that the mean values of PBF, FM, FFM, and FMI were significantly higher among MG compared with the PMG subjects, even after adjustment for BMI. In conclusion, this study clearly indicated that there existed significant differences in body composition, irrespective of BMI, between MG and PMG Bengalee Hindus. It also demonstrated that relative difference in mean FM was significantly greater, compared to the relative difference in mean FFM, after the attainment of menarche.

Factor analysis of metabolic syndrome among the middle-aged Bengalee Hindu men of Calcutta, India.

The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is known to be very high in the people of Indian origin. In India, rates are rising and CHD has been predicted to rank first among the causes of death in the Indian population by 2015. The reasons for the increased susceptibility of Indians to CHD are yet to be understood completely. However, studies hinted that clustering of risk variables of the metabolic syndrome (MS) could be responsible for the increasing incidence of CHD in the Indians. Therefore, identification of the components of the MS could be one aspect in the way to curb the increasing incidence of CHD among the Asian Indians. Principal component factor analysis (PCFA) was undertaken to identify the components or factors of the metabolic syndrome (MS) among the middle-aged Bengalee Hindu men of Calcutta, India, and was compared with the findings from other studies. The present cross-sectional study consisted of 212 Bengalee Hindu men aged 30 years and above. Besides anthropometric measures, lipid profile, blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were collected from each participant. Waist-hip ratio (WHR), trunk-extremity ratio (TER), and central fat skinfold ratio (CFSR) were computed accordingly. The lipid profile measures that were included were total cholesterol (TC), fasting triglyceride (FTG), high (HDL-C), low (LDL-C), and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). Principal components factor analysis revealed four uncorrelated factors that cumulatively explained 72.37% of the observed variance of the metabolic syndrome by measured variables. These four factors could be identified as central obesity (factor 1), centralized subcutaneous fat (factor 2), lipid profile blood glucose (factor 3), and blood pressure (factor 4). The present factor analysis confirms the general finding from other factor analyses of the metabolic syndrome on different ethnic groups that have identified three to four factors. Furthermore, the first two factors, that is, central obesity and centralized subcutaneous fat cumulatively explained 47% of the observed variance of metabolic syndrome in this population. Since more than one factor was identified for the metabolic syndrome and as no observed variable loaded on all four factors, therefore, more than one physiological mechanism could be accounted for the clustering of risk variables of the metabolic syndrome among the Bengalee Hindu men.

Central obesity and coronary risk factors.

A cross-sectional study of 130 Bengalee Hindu men (mean age = 50.3 years; SD = 10.5 years) was undertaken to investigate the relationship of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) with total cholesterol (TC), high density (HDL-C), low density (LDL-C) and very low-density (VLDL-C) lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and triglycerides (FTG). Correlation studies revealed that WHR was significantly correlated (r = 0.245, p < 0.01) with TC. WC and WHR had significant correlations with VLDL-C, FPG and FTG. All subjects were further divided into two groups based on WHR < or = 0.95 (centrally non-obese, CNO) and WHR > 0.95 (centrally obese, CO) following the US Joint National Committee (JNC) guidelines. Students' t-test revealed that CO subjects (n = 83) had a significantly higher mean TC (p < 0.05), VLDL (p < 0.05), FPG (p < 0.01) and FTG (p < 0.05) compared with CNO individuals (n = 47). Results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) of central obesity status (CNO = no, CO = yes) and BMI (BMI tertiles used as a categorical variable) with these metabolic variables revealed that CO status had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on TC, VLDL-C, FPG and FTG. BMI tertiles did not a have significant effect on any of these metabolic variables. There was no significant BMI tertile-central obesity status interaction. It can therefore be concluded that the JNC guidelines of WHR > 0.95 to define central obesity can be used, irrespective of BMI, among this population, to identify individuals who have enhanced metabolic risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD). Furthermore, it can be routinely used for health promotion purposes among Bengalee men.

Adiposity measures and their relationship with metabolic risk factors for coronary heart disease in Bengalee Hindu men of Kolkata, India

The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of generalized and central adiposity with established metabolic risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) among Bengalee Hindu men of Kolkata, India. A cross-sectional study of 212 Bengalee Hindu men resident in Kolkata, India, was undertaken utilizing four measures of adiposity: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and conicity index (CI). Total cholesterol (TC), high density (HDL-C), low density (LDL-C) and very low density (VLDL-C) cholesterol lipoproteins, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting triglyceride (FTG) levels were recorded. Results revealed that BMI did not have significant correlation with any of the metabolic variables. The Pearson correlation coefficients (r) of the central adiposity measures (WC, WHR and CI) were similar. WC, WHR and CI were significantly correlated (except WC and TC) with TC, VLDL-C, FBG and FTG. However, HDL-C and LDL-C did not show significant correlation with WC, WHR and CI. Regression analyses revealed that WC, WHR and CI had significant impact on TC, VLDL-C, FBG and FTG. All three measures of central adiposity had similar effect. This significant effect remained essentially the same even after controlling for BMI. In conclusion, the present investigation revealed that among Bengalee Hindu men, any one of these three measures (WC, WHR and CI) can be used in cross-sectional epidemiological studies dealing with the relationship of central adiposity and metabolic risk factors for CHD.

Age variations in adiposity and body fat composition among older Bengalee Hindu women of Calcutta, India

A cross-sectional study of 279 older (50+ years) urban Bengalee Hindu women was undertaken to study age variations in adiposity, body composition, obesity and central fat distribution. The women were divided into three groups: Group I (G I, 50-59 years), Group II (G II, 60-69 years) and Group III (G III, 70+ years). A significant decreasing age trend was observed in adiposity and body fat composition measures. Women in G I had significantly higher means compared with those in G III. Individuals in G II had intermediate values. However, there was no significant age trend in muscle measures and indices of central body fat distribution. The results revealed that significantly more women in G III (45.8%) were malnourished (BMI < 18.5), while significantly more women in G I (28.7%) were obese (BMI > or = 25). The levels of malnourishment (21.6%) and obesity (24.5%) in G II were intermediate between G I and G III. Age had significant negative correlations with measures of adiposity and body fat composition. Regression analysis revealed that age had significant negative effect on these anthropometric measures. This significant negative impact of age remained even after controlling for the effect of BMI. In conclusion, the present investigation revealed that among older Bengalee Hindu women, there is a significant inverse age trend in adiposity and body fat composition, which is independent of overall adiposity (BMI). However, with ageing, muscle and central body fat distribution remain the same. Furthermore, with increasing age, there is a trend of increasing levels of malnourishment and decreasing levels of obesity.

Age and sex variations in adiposity and central fat distribution among elderly Bengalee Hindus of Calcutta, India

Background : Although a sizeable portion of India's population (13%, over 110 million) is elderly (aged > 55 years) very little information exists on their levels of adiposity and central body fat distribution. Aim : The present study seeks to investigate age and sex variations in adiposity and central fat distribution among urban elderly Bengalee men and women. Subjects and methods : A cross-sectional study of 410 (210 men and 200 women) elderly (> 55 years) urban Bengalee Hindu individuals resident in Calcutta, India, was undertaken utilizing various measures of adiposity and central fat distribution. Results : There existed significant sex differences in various anthropometric variables and indices. Age had significant negative association with most variables and indices in both sexes. In general, the associations were much stronger in men. Regression analysis demonstrated that age had significant negative effect on height, sitting height (SH), weight, body mass index (BMI), minimum waist (MWC), maximum hip (MHC) and mid upper arm (MUAC) circumferences and triceps skinfold (TSF), in both sexes. Age also had significant negative impact on conicity index (CI) in men. Conclusions : The present investigation revealed that there is a significant inverse age trend in adiposity among urban elderly Bengalee Hindus. Moreover, there existed sex differences in the effect of age on various anthropometric measures.

Age Trends in Anthropometric Characteristics among an Elderly Population of Bengalee Hindu Males in Calcutta, India

A cross-sectional investigation of 210 Bengalee Hindu elderly men (aged-55 years and above) of Kalighat, Calcutta, India, was undertaken to study age trends in 15 anthropometric measures. The subjects were categorized into three groups: Group 1: 55-59 years (n = 40); Group 11: 60-69 years (n = 90), and Group 111: 70 years and above (n = 80). Results revealed that there were significant group differences with Group III (G 111) having significantly lower means for most variables compared with Group I (G I). Individuals in Group II (G IT) had intermediate values between G I and G III. Correlation studies demonstrated that there was a significantly decreasing trend, from G I to G III, in the relationship of age with these measures. It was observed that while age had a significant positive effect on fat mass (FM) in G I, it had significant negative effect in G II and G III. Age also had significant negative effect on percent body fat (PBF) and fat mass index (FMI) in G 11. In G III, age had significant negative effect on arm muscle circumference (AMC), arm muscle area (AMA) and FMI. Results also revealed that PBF had significant negative correlations with AMC and AMA in age G I and G II, but not in G III. In general, there was a increasing trend of correlation between these measures from G I to G III. In G II the strength of the correlations were intermediate between G I and G III. Discriminant analysis showed that overall, 71.1% of all cases were correctly classified using these anthropometric measures. None of the individuals in G I and G III were misclassified into G III and G I, respectively. There was better discrimination in G 111 (87.5%) than in G 11 (74,4%) and G 1 (62.5%). Key Words: Ageing, anthropometry, body fat, muscle Medical advances and social changes in the recent past have altered the demographic structure of developing countries. As a consequence of increased average longevity, the proportion of older adults in the overall population is steadily increasing. India being a developing country, is expected to experience a rapid growth in her older (aged 55 years and above) population. According to the 1991 Census, the total aged population is approximately 109 million, or 12.9% of the total population. This percentage will increase to 14% by the year 2020 (Kinsella and Suzman, 1992). This emerging elderly population is expected to have many health problems, particularly with reference to the prevalence of degenerative diseases like non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypertension (HT). The consequences of these increased prevalence will require greater attention and resources. The non-invasive technique of anthropometry could used to provide information on health and nutritional status all ages including elderly individuals. Many studies (Burr Phillips, 1984; Chumlea et al., 1986; Shimokata et al., Micozzi and Harris, 1990; Yassin and Terry, 1991) have already been reported on health and nutritional status among elderly individuals utilizing anthropometry from different parts of the world. However, to date, no study has reported anthropometric information on the elderly in India. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effect of age on selected anthropometric variables and indices among elderly Bengalee Hindu males of Kalighat, South Calcutta, India. Material and Methods The study population of the present investigation consisted of 210 male individuals aged 55 years and above. They belonged to the Bengalee Hindu caste population residing in 88 ward at Kalighat, South Calcutta. Primary information including name, address and age of randomly selected 230 individuals were from the local voter list of 1998. Prior to measurement, verbal information was sent to all selected individuals. Out of 230 selected males, responses were available. The subjects were requested to make an at their house. …

A study on blood groups and serum proteins in Bengalee populations of Calcutta, India

The genetic polymorphisms of two blood groups (A1A2B0, Rh-D) and two serum proteins (HP, TF) were investigated in five endogamous caste groups of Bengalee Hindu population living in Calcutta. The distribution of A1A2B0 and Rh-D blood groups in all the caste groups showed an oriental pattern with high B and Rh-D+ frequencies, while for the haptoglobins a very low frequency of HP*1 was seen in all the caste groups, except the Vaidya. For transferrin types the absolute predominancy of TF*C in all the caste groups was noted.