Anthropometric indices independent of age for nutritional assessment in schoolchildren

Abstract

The merits of three indices based on weight (W) and height (H) were examined in the age group six to 15 years: W/H, W/H2, W/H3. The analysis was based on a survey of 1673 schoolchildren of both sexes from a rural housing block in Delhi. It showed that the index W/H2 was invariant with age in the range six to 15 years and that the other two indices were biased with respect to age. The index W/H2 was found to be of value for the proper assessment of nutritional status in the schoolchildren of a developing country.