Nutritional evaluation using different anthropometric variables in Nigerian school children

Abstract

The anthropometric characteristics of 600 apparently healthy children of ages between 5 and 10 years of Gbagyi tribe of Abuja Nigeria, consisting of males (n = 300) with a mean age of 7.10 ± 1.98 and females (n = 300) with a mean age of 7.68 ± 1.86 were selected for the evaluation of their nutritional status using different anthropometric variables. The anthropometric characteristic of their height, age, weight, mid‑upper arm circumference (MUAC), chest circumference and body mass index (BMI) was measured and analysed statistically for any significant difference, and correlation between the parameters studied. The results show some significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between the anthropometric parameters and a significant correlation (≤0.001) between the height and BMI, and other parameters in males and females. The study derived a linear regression and a multiple linear regression equations for Gbagyi children from which height, age, weight, MUAC, chest circumference and BMI could be predicted if one factor is known. The results from the present study provided an insight into the nutritional status of Nigerian school children of Gbagyi tribe of Abuja using the BMI and MUAC which showed if a child is malnourished, overweight or obese. The results from the present study show that there is a positive correlation between height and age, and other parameters indicating that height could be predicted using age, weight, BMI, chest circumference and MUAC, while BMI and mid upper arm circumference could be a useful tool in the estimation of nutritional status among Nigerian school children of Gbagyi tribe of Abuja.