Yadav P, Jha CB, Koirala S, Yadav D, Baral DD
ABSTRACT
Anthropometric standards derived from adult population may not be appropriate for elderly because of body composition change occur during ageing. The objective is to provide anthropometric characteristics of elderly Mongoloid and Tharu population & to describe gender differences of anthropometric characteristics in the elderly Mongoloid and Tharu population in Sunsari and Morang districts of eastern Nepal. Materials and Methods: Anthropometric data were collected from people at the age of 50 years and above of Tharu and Mongoloid races belonging to both genders. Total sample size was 600; 300 male and 300 female. In each gender of Mongoloid and Tharu 150 males and 150 females were equally represented. Waist & hip circumference were measured using plastic tape & waist-hip ratio was calculated. Results: Results showed that waist, hip circumference & waist hip ratio were higher in mongoloid in comparison to Tharu. Waist & hip circumference were highly significant among Tharu and mongoloid and difference in waist hip ratio was significant. Both Mongoloid males & Mongoloid females showed higher waist, hip circumference & waist hip ratio as compared to Tharu males & Tharu females respectively. Conclusion: Females of both races were at higher health risk whereas males of both races were not at health risk based on waist hip- ratio.
Keywords: Anthropometric Measurements; Elderly, Wait- Hip ratio