Sudip Datta Banik

All-age relationship between arm span and height in different ethnic groups

The objective of the present study was to establish multiethnic, all-age prediction equations for estimating stature from arm span in males and females. The arm span/height ratio (ASHR) from 13 947 subjects (40.9% females), aged 5–99 years, from nine centres (in China, Europe, Ghana, India and Iran) was used to predict ASHR as a function of age using the lambda, mu and sigma method. Z-scores for forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC in 1503 patients were calculated using measured height and height calculated from arm span and age. ASHR varied nonlinearly with age, was higher in males than in females and differed significantly between the nine sites. The data clustered into four groups: Asia, Europe, Ghana and Iran. Average predicted FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC using measured or predicted height did not differ, with standard deviations of 4.6% for FEV1, 5.0% for FVC and 0.3% for FEV1/FVC. The percentages of disparate findings for a low FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC in patients, calculated using measured or predicted height, were 4.2%, 3.2% and 0.4%, respectively; for a restrictive pattern, there were 1.0% disparate findings. Group- and sex-specific equations for estimating height from arm span and age to derive predicted values for spirometry are clinically useful. Height estimated from arm span, age and ethnic group allows clinically valid classification of spirometric data http://ow.ly/y8kiK

Arm span as a proxy measure for height and estimation of nutritional status: A study among Dhimals of Darjeeling in West Bengal India

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the inter-relationship between height and arm span and also to estimate nutritional status from arm span.Methods: In an anthropometric survey conducted among the Dhimals (227 males and 223 females, total = 450) of Naxalbari in West Bengal, India, measurements were recorded in age groups ranging between 10–59 years.Results: Males were taller and had longer arm spans than females. The height-arm span ratio was 0.98–0.99, indicating height to be slightly less than arm span in both sexes. High correlation between these two dimensions was also observed. Regression equations provided a good model for estimating height from arm span (predictor). In all age groups of both sexes, values of standardized coefficient beta exhibited high significance (p ( 0.001). Residuals showed no pattern and were random. No significant difference between height-based body mass index or BMI (body weight/height2) and estimated arm span-based BMI (body weight/arm span2) was observed in any ag...Objectives: This study aimed to understand the inter-relationship between height and arm span and also to estimate nutritional status from arm span. Methods: In an anthropometric survey conducted among the Dhimals (227 males and 223 females, total = 450) of Naxalbari in West Bengal, India, measurements were recorded in age groups ranging between 10–59 years. Results: Males were taller and had longer arm spans than females. The height-arm span ratio was 0.98–0.99, indicating height to be slightly less than arm span in both sexes. High correlation between these two dimensions was also observed. Regression equations provided a good model for estimating height from arm span (predictor). In all age groups of both sexes, values of standardized coefficient beta exhibited high significance (p ( 0.001). Residuals showed no pattern and were random. No significant difference between height-based body mass index or BMI (body weight/height2) and estimated arm span-based BMI (body weight/arm span2) was observed in any age group. Conclusion: Arm span was found to be an effective surrogate measure for BMI.

Undernutrition among Adult Dhimals of Naxalbari, West Bengal: Comparison with other Tribes of Eastern India

Background The tribes of India comprise approximately 8% of the total population of the country, which probably has the largest number of tribal communities in the world. In general, the tribal populations are among the most underprivileged and undernourished people in India. Objectives To determine the anthropometric characteristics and prevalence of undernutrition, based on body mass index (BMI), of adult Dhimals, a tribal population of Naxalbari, West Bengal, India, and to compare these results with those from four other tribes of Eastern India: the Bathudis, Kora Mudis, Santals, and Savars. Methods A total of 305 adult (18 years or older) Dhimals (159 men and 146 women) from three villages (Maniram, Hatighisa, and Buraganj) in the Mallabari area of Naxalbari were studied. These villages are located 5 km from Siliguri town, which is approximately 580 km from Kolkata, the provincial capital of West Bengal. Anthropometric measurements included height and weight. BMI was calculated by the standard equation. Undernutrition was evaluated according to World Health Organization (WHO) cutoff points. Results The overall prevalence of undernutrition (BMI < 18.5) was very high (36.4%). The prevalence was significantly higher in women than in men (46.4% vs. 27.0%; χ2 = 12.54; p < .001; odds ratio, 2.35). According to the WHO criterion, the prevalence of undernutrition was high and the situation was serious in men. Among women, the prevalence of undernutrition was very high and the situation was critical. However, in general, compared with other tribal people of eastern India except the Santals, adult Dhimals had better anthropometric and nutritional profiles. Conclusions This study provides evidence that although the anthropometric and nutritional profiles of adult Dhimals are better than those of some of the other tribal populations of eastern India, immediate appropriate nutritional intervention programs are needed for implementation among this ethnic group.

Height Growth and Percentage of Body Fat in Relation to Early Menarche in Girls from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Early menarche (EM) (i.e., age at menarche [AAM] <12 years of age) is related to short height and higher body fatness. In a mixed-longitudinal study done in Merida, Yucatan, height, body mass index (BMI), and percentage of body fat (BF%) were recorded at a one-year interval among 258 postmenarcheal (EM = 94) girls. Anthropometric measurements were recorded of the age cohorts in 2008–09 when participants were 13–17 years of age (baseline), and in the one-year follow-up study (± 6 days) the girls were 14–18 years of age. The BF% was estimated through bioelectrical impedance analysis. Mean AAM was 10.59 years in EM girls and 12.54 years in not early menarche (NEM) girls. Height growth (cm/year) was greater in NEM girls. Mean values of BMI, BF%, and frequencies of stunting (low height-for-age) and excess weight (overweight + obesity) were higher in EM girls than in their NEM age peers.

Intergenerational changes in knee height among Maya mothers and their adult daughters from Merida, Mexico.

To analyze differences in knee height (KH) between adult Maya mothers and daughters in Merida City, Mexico, and determine if these differences are associated with their childhood socioeconomic conditions.

Body fatness in relation to physical activity and selected socioeconomic parameters of adolescents aged 15–17 years in Merida, Yucatan

Abstract Background: Increasing rates of overweight and obesity in adolescents are major concerns in many countries, including Mexico. Objectives: To study anthropometric and body composition characteristics (BCC) and their relations with socioeconomic status (SES), biological history and physical activity (PA) of school-going adolescent boys and girls in the city of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Subjects and methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 321 adolescents (156 boys and 165 girls) aged 15–17 years from public and private schools in Merida, was taken from a study carried out in 2008–2009. Results: Body mass index had significant correlations to BCC (fat mass and fat-free mass). The rate of stunting was higher in girls (18.20%) than in boys (7.69%). Stunted adolescents had higher body fat (%) than normally growing peers. High rates of overweight (boys 26.28%, girls 24.24%) and obesity (boys 10.26%, girls 6.06%) were recorded. SES (parents’ age, education and occupation; crowding index in the family; household food expenditure), participants’ biological history and PA are related with height and BCC by age and sex. Conclusion: Adolescents with excess weight (overweight + obesity) reported being less physically active. SES and PA were strongly related to growth and body fatness in the studied adolescents.

Dinamometria de manos en estudiantes de Merida, México

In a sample of 676 students (316 boys and 360 girls) aged 10 to 18 years in Merida, Mexico, hand-held dynamometry was performed to develop a regression model that permitted to estimate the strength of each hand by sex from the upper arm muscle area and age. The right hand was significantly stronger than the left in both men (1.43 kg, t=8.748, p<0.001) and women (1.07 kg, t=9.347, p<0.001). Among the subjects, 94.1% reported being right-handed and the rest left-handed; 71.4% of the right-handed subjects and 60.0% of the left-handed subjects had stronger right hand. However, Chi-squared test showed no significant differences in these distributions (p=0.125). Altogether 70.7% of the sample had stronger right hand than left, and the rest had the opposite pattern of stronger left hand than right and Student’s t-tests exhibited significant bilateral difference (p<0.0001) of dynamometric grip strength in either section.

Maternal height and its relationship to offspring birth weight and adiposity in 6- to 10-year-old Maya children from poor neighborhoods in Merida, Yucatan.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the relationship between maternal height, offspring birth weight, and adiposity at 6-10 years of age in a sample of 197 mother-child dyads from Merida, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS During 2008-2009 and 2011-2013, measurements were taken of maternal height and weight; and height, waist circumference (WC), and skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac) of their children. Participant body composition was estimated using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. A questionnaire was applied to document household socioeconomic conditions. Multiple linear regression models were used to study the association between maternal height, offspring birth weight and fat mass index (FMI), WC, and sum of skinfolds (SumSkfZ) in boys and girls, separately. RESULTS After adjusting for child age and household socioeconomic conditions, maternal height was identified to be significantly associated (p < .05) with FMI, WC, and SumSkf only in boys. In all models, child adiposity was inversely related to maternal height. Offspring birth weight was not associated with any adiposity parameter. DISCUSSION The results suggest that maternal nutritional history as reflected in short maternal stature is associated with higher body fat in children, and that male offspring are more vulnerable to intergenerational influences.

Food intake and nutrition in children 1–4 years of age in Yucatan, Mexico

AbstractBackground: The National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 (ENSANUT in Spanish) reported high rates of under-nutrition in children of Yucatan. Is food intake the main cause of under-nutrition in children of the state of Yucatan, Mexico?Aim: Identify the primary causes of under-nutrition in pre-school children in Yucatan.Subjects: A sample of 111 children (59 girls and 52 boys) aged 1–4 years representing Yucatan was taken from a database of ENSANUT 2006 and another national survey, a federal poverty mitigation programme for the state of Yucatan, Mexico entitled “Oportunidades”.Methods: A human ecology approach together with life history theory was used to analyse anthropometric indices and food intake data from the ENSANUT 2006 and “Oportunidades”.Results: Height and weight were significantly correlated to age and total food intake. No correlations were found between age and anthropometric indices or food intake rates. The children in the sample had adequate protein intake but deficient energy inta...Abstract Background: The National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006 (ENSANUT in Spanish) reported high rates of under-nutrition in children of Yucatan. Is food intake the main cause of under-nutrition in children of the state of Yucatan, Mexico? Aim: Identify the primary causes of under-nutrition in pre-school children in Yucatan. Subjects: A sample of 111 children (59 girls and 52 boys) aged 1–4 years representing Yucatan was taken from a database of ENSANUT 2006 and another national survey, a federal poverty mitigation programme for the state of Yucatan, Mexico entitled “Oportunidades”. Methods: A human ecology approach together with life history theory was used to analyse anthropometric indices and food intake data from the ENSANUT 2006 and “Oportunidades”. Results: Height and weight were significantly correlated to age and total food intake. No correlations were found between age and anthropometric indices or food intake rates. The children in the sample had adequate protein intake but deficient energy intake. No correlation was identified between nutritional status and food intake rates. Pre-schoolers with higher weight-for-height values achieved greater height-for-age. These relationships can be explained by life history theory in that energy intake was used either for maintenance (combating and recovering from infections) or growth. Conclusion: The poor relationship between food intake rates and nutritional status is probably explained by the interaction between high disease incidence and insufficient energy intake. These conditions are endemic in Yucatan due to widespread poor housing, water and sanitation conditions.

Preece-Baines Model 1 to Estimate Height and Knee Height Growth in Boys and Girls From Merida, Mexico:

Background: Height and body segments in children have differential pubertal growth characteristics. Lower leg length is a sensitive indicator of child’s nutritional status. Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate differential timing and tempo of height and knee height (KH) growth in 9- to 17-year-old boys (n = 475) and girls (n = 500) from Merida, Mexico. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the Preece-Baines growth curves—model 1 (PB 1) was fitted to the anthropometric data for height and KH. Results: Based on the PB 1 model, KH had earlier age at maximum increment than height in boys (height = 12.37 years, KH = 11.54 years) and girls (height = 11.01 years, KH = 10.93 years). Peak velocity of these 2 dimensions was different in both sexes (boys: height = 7.11 cm/yr, KH = 2.25 cm/yr; girls: height = 5.14 cm/yr, KH = 1.45 cm/yr). Differences (P <.001) by sex were also observed for the estimated size at peak velocity and final size of height and KH. Conclusions: When compared to height, KH was shown to have earlier adolescent growth spurt and a smaller difference between final size and the size at maximum (peak) velocity indicating an earlier age for achieving adult size. Overall, the studied boys and girls had short estimated final size, an earlier age at maximum increment, and a lower peak velocity in height than urban Guatemalan peers, the only regional reference available.