Anthropometric evaluation of school-going native highlanders (4–19 years of age) from the Leh-Ladakh region in India

Abstract

Abstract Background The native population of the Ladakh region faces the unique challenges of a high-altitude environment with distinct physiological adaptations in comparison with lowlanders. However, no comprehensive data on standard anthropometric parameters for the school-going children in this populace is available. Objectives We aimed to study the various anthropometric parameters in the school-going native highlander population and computed measures of central tendency. The nutritional status of the community was also be determined by comparing with World Health Organization (WHO) scores for height for age (HFA), weight for age (WFA) and body mass index (BMI) for age. Design A cross-sectional, descriptive study was devised to assess the anthropometric parameters. We measured height, weight, mid-upper circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness, sub-scapular skinfold (SSF) thickness, waist, hip and abdominal circumference. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the mean [±2 standard deviation (SD)], median, range, minimum and maximum. The z-scores for HFA, WFA and BMI for age was computed using WHO reference data. Subjects A total of 346 school-going native highlander children (4–19 years of age) were studied. Results Among the study population, the mean height was 141.17 ± 39.08 cm, the mean weight was 38.27 ± 25.40 kg. The gender difference in height, MUAC, sub-scapular skinfold (SSF) thickness, TSF thickness and the abdominal circumference was found to be statistically significant. Of the subjects 23.46% were stunted (i.e. HFA below −2 SD of the WHO standard) and 7.01% were underweight (WFA below −2 SD of the WHO standard). Conclusion The nutritional status of the Ladakhi population was assessed by comparison with the WHO reference data. Nomograms for anthropometric data in school-going children (4–19 years of age) of Ladakh were created. These can be used for further studies and planning targeted intervention strategies on this geographically isolated and evolutionary distinct highland population.