Saheli Biswas | Vidyasagar University, WB, India (original) (raw)

Papers by Saheli Biswas

Research paper thumbnail of Nutritional Assessment Based on Mid-upper Arm Circumference Among Tribal Preschool Children of Three Distinct Ecological Zones of India

Journal of Anthropological Survey of india, 2024

Undernutrition among infants and children retards the physical and cognitive growth and increases... more Undernutrition among infants and children retards the physical and cognitive growth and increases susceptibility to infections and diseases. Educational attainment and productivity of children get adversely affected by undernutrition, NFHS (2019-2020) and IIPS (2021) found the prevalence of undernutrition indicators to be high among the under-five children of the nation and tribal children to be in a more vulnerable condition. Mean mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is a quick, simple and precise screening tool to use in large-scale community-based nutritional programme. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition based on MUAC among three tribes of three distinct ecological zones of India, namely Bhil Tribe (Desert ecology), Dhodia tribe (Coastal ecology) and Kinnaura tribe (Himalayan ecology). The present cross-sectional study consists of 985 tribal children (509 boys and 476 girls) belonging to the age group 0-1 through 5+ years (below six years). Z-score was computed using WHO (2006) recommended age and sex-specific cutoff points for MUAC and the prevalence of undernutrition was assessed for children of below five years of age. MUAC has been found to have significant age difference among all communities (p < .001). Prevalence of undernutrition was found to be the highest among the

Research paper thumbnail of A cross-sectional study of nutritional status among 10–15 years old rural Bengalee adolescents of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia)

Introduction. Adolescence period requires special supervision as these years link the impact of g... more Introduction. Adolescence period requires special supervision as these years link the impact of generational and early childhood factors to adult outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines 10-19 years as adolescence period, an important stage of growth and development in the lifespan of an individual. The present study assessed nutritional status among adolescents of two villages of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study of 443 (208 boys; 235 girls) rural high school students aged 10–15 years of Ajaya and Deulpota villages, Khejuri- I block, Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal, India, was undertaken to evaluate their growth pattern and nutritional status. Anthropometric measurements, including height (cm), weight (kg), mid-upper arm circumference (cm), were measured following standard techniques. Stunting, underweight and thinness were used as indicators of nutritional status. Results. The overall prevalence of stunting, unde...

Research paper thumbnail of Nutritional Status among rural tribal adolescent girls of Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal

Nutritional Status among rural tribal adolescent girls of Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of A cross-sectional study of nutritional status among 10–15 years old rural Bengalee adolescents of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

A cross-sectional study of nutritional status among 10–15 years old rural Bengalee adolescents of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India, 2023

Introduction. Adolescence period requires special supervision as these years link the impact of g... more Introduction. Adolescence period requires special supervision as these years link the impact of generational and early childhood factors to adult outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines 10-19 years as adolescence period, an important stage of growth and development in the lifespan of an individual. The present study assessed nutritional status among adolescents of two villages of

Research paper thumbnail of Age Variations and Sexual Dimorphism in Adiposity and Body Composition Among Tribal Adolescents of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India

ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCHES AND STUDIES, 2021

Objectives. Although tribals constitute around 8.6% of the total population of India, detailed in... more Objectives. Although tribals constitute around 8.6% of the total population of India, detailed information on their body composition is scanty. Thus, our objective was to evaluate age variations and sexual dimorphism in adiposity and body composition among rural tribal adolescents of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 788 tribal adolescent boys and girls, aged 10-17 years of Kharagpur, West Midnapore, West Bengal, India. Height (kg), weight (cm) and skinfolds were measured following standard method. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was derived. Body composition measures including Percent Body Fat (PBF), Fat Mass (FM), Fat Free Mass (FFM), Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Fat Free mass Index (FFMI) were computed using standard equations. Results. All the variables showed a significant age trend in both sexes. Age-combined significant sex differences existed in mean BMI and all body composition measures. Girls had significantly higher ...

Research paper thumbnail of AGE VARIATIONS AND SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN ADIPOSITY AND BODY COMPOSITION AMONG TRIBAL ADOLESCENTS OF KHARAGPUR, WEST BENGAL, INDIA DOI: …in progress

ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCHES AND STUDIES, 2021

Objectives. Although tribals constitute around 8.6% of the total population of India, detailed in... more Objectives. Although tribals constitute around 8.6% of the total population of India, detailed information on their body composition is scanty. Thus, our objective was to evaluate age variations and sexual dimorphism in adiposity and body composition among rural tribal adolescents of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 788 tribal adolescent boys and girls, aged 10-17 years of Kharagpur, West Midnapore, West Bengal, India. Height (kg), weight (cm) and skinfolds were measured following standard method. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was derived. Body composition measures including Percent Body Fat (PBF), Fat Mass (FM), Fat Free Mass (FFM), Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Fat Free mass Index (FFMI) were computed using standard equations. Results. All the variables showed a significant age trend in both sexes. Age-combined significant sex differences existed in mean BMI and all body composition measures. Girls had significantly higher mean values of fat measures (PBF, FM and FMI) whereas boys had significantly higher mean values of non-fat measures (FFM and FFMI). In both sexes, age had significant correlations with BMI and the five body composition measures. Similarly, all body composition indicators were significantly correlated with BMI in both sexes. Conclusions. There were significant age and sex variations in body composition measures. Girls had significantly more fat mass whereas boys had more lean body mass. All body composition measures increased significantly with increasing age as well as BMI. Attainment of puberty could be a mediating factor causing these age variations and sexual dimorphism.

Research paper thumbnail of Thinness and its association with socio-economic and demographic factors among rural tribal adolescent girls of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India

Human Biology Review, 2021

Undernutrition is one of the major problems especially among the tribal adolescent girls. Thus, t... more Undernutrition is one of the major problems especially among the tribal adolescent girls. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of thinness and its association with socioeconomic and demographic aspects among adolescent girls. This study was conducted among 418 tribal adolescent girls, aged 10-17 years of Kharagpur Development Block II, West Bengal, India. Assessment of nutritional status was measured by thinness (Low BMI for age) following standard cut offs as proposed by Cole and co-workers. Logistic regression was applied to evaluate the dependence of thinness on various socioeconomic factors of the participants. The overall prevalence of thinness was 43.5%. When age specific prevalence are taken into account, the highest (67.5%) prevalence was found among the participants of the age group of 10 years, followed by age group 12 (54.7%) and in case of 17 years (49.0%). Prevalence of thinness was highly (p < 0.001) dependent on mothers' education (Wald = 10.3481) and physical activity (Wald = 6.8404) of the participants. Higher the mother's education, lower the prevalence of thinness. The prevalence of thinness was very high. Future nutritional and health intervention programmes should focus on these factors.

Research paper thumbnail of Nutritional Assessment Based on Mid-upper Arm Circumference Among Tribal Preschool Children of Three Distinct Ecological Zones of India

Journal of Anthropological Survey of india, 2024

Undernutrition among infants and children retards the physical and cognitive growth and increases... more Undernutrition among infants and children retards the physical and cognitive growth and increases susceptibility to infections and diseases. Educational attainment and productivity of children get adversely affected by undernutrition, NFHS (2019-2020) and IIPS (2021) found the prevalence of undernutrition indicators to be high among the under-five children of the nation and tribal children to be in a more vulnerable condition. Mean mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is a quick, simple and precise screening tool to use in large-scale community-based nutritional programme. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition based on MUAC among three tribes of three distinct ecological zones of India, namely Bhil Tribe (Desert ecology), Dhodia tribe (Coastal ecology) and Kinnaura tribe (Himalayan ecology). The present cross-sectional study consists of 985 tribal children (509 boys and 476 girls) belonging to the age group 0-1 through 5+ years (below six years). Z-score was computed using WHO (2006) recommended age and sex-specific cutoff points for MUAC and the prevalence of undernutrition was assessed for children of below five years of age. MUAC has been found to have significant age difference among all communities (p < .001). Prevalence of undernutrition was found to be the highest among the

Research paper thumbnail of A cross-sectional study of nutritional status among 10–15 years old rural Bengalee adolescents of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia)

Introduction. Adolescence period requires special supervision as these years link the impact of g... more Introduction. Adolescence period requires special supervision as these years link the impact of generational and early childhood factors to adult outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines 10-19 years as adolescence period, an important stage of growth and development in the lifespan of an individual. The present study assessed nutritional status among adolescents of two villages of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study of 443 (208 boys; 235 girls) rural high school students aged 10–15 years of Ajaya and Deulpota villages, Khejuri- I block, Purba Medinipur district, West Bengal, India, was undertaken to evaluate their growth pattern and nutritional status. Anthropometric measurements, including height (cm), weight (kg), mid-upper arm circumference (cm), were measured following standard techniques. Stunting, underweight and thinness were used as indicators of nutritional status. Results. The overall prevalence of stunting, unde...

Research paper thumbnail of Nutritional Status among rural tribal adolescent girls of Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal

Nutritional Status among rural tribal adolescent girls of Kharagpur, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of A cross-sectional study of nutritional status among 10–15 years old rural Bengalee adolescents of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

A cross-sectional study of nutritional status among 10–15 years old rural Bengalee adolescents of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India, 2023

Introduction. Adolescence period requires special supervision as these years link the impact of g... more Introduction. Adolescence period requires special supervision as these years link the impact of generational and early childhood factors to adult outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines 10-19 years as adolescence period, an important stage of growth and development in the lifespan of an individual. The present study assessed nutritional status among adolescents of two villages of

Research paper thumbnail of Age Variations and Sexual Dimorphism in Adiposity and Body Composition Among Tribal Adolescents of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India

ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCHES AND STUDIES, 2021

Objectives. Although tribals constitute around 8.6% of the total population of India, detailed in... more Objectives. Although tribals constitute around 8.6% of the total population of India, detailed information on their body composition is scanty. Thus, our objective was to evaluate age variations and sexual dimorphism in adiposity and body composition among rural tribal adolescents of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 788 tribal adolescent boys and girls, aged 10-17 years of Kharagpur, West Midnapore, West Bengal, India. Height (kg), weight (cm) and skinfolds were measured following standard method. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was derived. Body composition measures including Percent Body Fat (PBF), Fat Mass (FM), Fat Free Mass (FFM), Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Fat Free mass Index (FFMI) were computed using standard equations. Results. All the variables showed a significant age trend in both sexes. Age-combined significant sex differences existed in mean BMI and all body composition measures. Girls had significantly higher ...

Research paper thumbnail of AGE VARIATIONS AND SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN ADIPOSITY AND BODY COMPOSITION AMONG TRIBAL ADOLESCENTS OF KHARAGPUR, WEST BENGAL, INDIA DOI: …in progress

ANTHROPOLOGICAL RESEARCHES AND STUDIES, 2021

Objectives. Although tribals constitute around 8.6% of the total population of India, detailed in... more Objectives. Although tribals constitute around 8.6% of the total population of India, detailed information on their body composition is scanty. Thus, our objective was to evaluate age variations and sexual dimorphism in adiposity and body composition among rural tribal adolescents of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 788 tribal adolescent boys and girls, aged 10-17 years of Kharagpur, West Midnapore, West Bengal, India. Height (kg), weight (cm) and skinfolds were measured following standard method. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was derived. Body composition measures including Percent Body Fat (PBF), Fat Mass (FM), Fat Free Mass (FFM), Fat Mass Index (FMI) and Fat Free mass Index (FFMI) were computed using standard equations. Results. All the variables showed a significant age trend in both sexes. Age-combined significant sex differences existed in mean BMI and all body composition measures. Girls had significantly higher mean values of fat measures (PBF, FM and FMI) whereas boys had significantly higher mean values of non-fat measures (FFM and FFMI). In both sexes, age had significant correlations with BMI and the five body composition measures. Similarly, all body composition indicators were significantly correlated with BMI in both sexes. Conclusions. There were significant age and sex variations in body composition measures. Girls had significantly more fat mass whereas boys had more lean body mass. All body composition measures increased significantly with increasing age as well as BMI. Attainment of puberty could be a mediating factor causing these age variations and sexual dimorphism.

Research paper thumbnail of Thinness and its association with socio-economic and demographic factors among rural tribal adolescent girls of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India

Human Biology Review, 2021

Undernutrition is one of the major problems especially among the tribal adolescent girls. Thus, t... more Undernutrition is one of the major problems especially among the tribal adolescent girls. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of thinness and its association with socioeconomic and demographic aspects among adolescent girls. This study was conducted among 418 tribal adolescent girls, aged 10-17 years of Kharagpur Development Block II, West Bengal, India. Assessment of nutritional status was measured by thinness (Low BMI for age) following standard cut offs as proposed by Cole and co-workers. Logistic regression was applied to evaluate the dependence of thinness on various socioeconomic factors of the participants. The overall prevalence of thinness was 43.5%. When age specific prevalence are taken into account, the highest (67.5%) prevalence was found among the participants of the age group of 10 years, followed by age group 12 (54.7%) and in case of 17 years (49.0%). Prevalence of thinness was highly (p < 0.001) dependent on mothers' education (Wald = 10.3481) and physical activity (Wald = 6.8404) of the participants. Higher the mother's education, lower the prevalence of thinness. The prevalence of thinness was very high. Future nutritional and health intervention programmes should focus on these factors.