Anthropometric Measurements and Body Composition Parameters of Farm Women in North Gujarat

Abstract

Anthropometric data of agricultural farm women is very essential for appropriate and efficient designing of farm machinery. The anthropometric data of 150 farm women was collected in three villages of Dantiwada taluka namely, Nilpur, Lodpa and Madivas in North Gujarat. For making the data comprehensive and more useful, a set of 20 body dimensions, which were found to be applicable in the design of various agricultural equipments, were selected, which included stature, vertical reach, vertical grip reach, eye height and so on. The data was further analyzed and the efforts had been made to illustrate the applications of these measurements for designing and standardization of women friendly equipment. In the study, in addition to the descriptive values, 5th, 50th and 95th percentile values were also calculated. The Body composition of farm women was recorded by using Body Fat Analyzer. Various characteristics of body composition such as L.B.M. (Lean Body Mass), M.B.F. (Mass Body Fat), S.L.M. (Soft Lean Mass), mineral, protein, T.B.W. (Total Body Water), P.B.F. (Percent Body Fat), B.M.I. (Body Mass Index) and B.M.R (Basal Metabolic Rate) were measured in the present study. Efforts had been made to correlate these body parameters with increment of age. In conclusion, the present study shows some significant changes with increment of age in body composition characteristics of selected farm women.