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ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine the age and sex differences in nutritional status based on new age and sex specific international BMI cut-off points, among Muslim adolescents of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. One thousand and sixty eight (1068) Bengali speaking Muslim school boys (n=522) and girls (n=546) aged 10-17 years participated in this study. The overall (combined age and sex) frequency of undernutrition was 54.8 percent. The frequencies (combined age) of undernutrition among boys and girls were 58.04 percent and 51.65 percent respectively. The rates of undernutrition of boys varied between 35.0 percent among 16 years old to 72.7 percent at age 13 years. The rates of undernutrition of girls varied between 35.7 percent among 15 years old to 71.2 percent at age 11 years. Significant age difference was observed in mean height, weight and BMI for boys (height: F=234.37, p<.0.05, weight: F= 145.36, p<.0.05 and BMI: F= 27.47, p<.0.05) and as well as girls (height: F= 163.40, p<.0.05, weight: F= 107.82, p<.0.05 and BMI: F= 39.74, p<.0.05). There was significant age differences (boys, chi square= 62.80, p = 0.000,girls, Chi-square = 76.21, p = 0.000) in nutritional status based on BMI of studied children. In general, this study provided evidence that the Bengalee Muslim adolescents had very high rates of undernutrition. Most of the earlier Indian studies showed lower prevalence than present study.

AbstractA cross-sectional study of 559 Bengalee adolescents (314 boys and 245 girls) of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, was undertaken to study their age and sex differences in nutritional status. The subjects were classified into four age groups with one-year intervals. Individuals falling below the age and sex specific fifth percentile of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) were defined as undernourished. The overall rate of undernutrition was 36.49%. Regardless of sex, the rate of undernutrition progressively increased from 31.88% to 39.80% with the advancement of age. However, a clear-cut age variations in the change of the rate of undernutrition have been observed in both the sexes. The prevalence of undernutrition (combining all ages) varied between boys (41.08%) and girls (30.61%). In general, this study provided evidence that the Bengalee adolescents had moderate rates of undernutrition. These rates were, in general, lower than those reported in other developing countries including previous Indian studies.