Changes in body size, shape and nutritional status of Middle-Class Bengali boys of Kolkata, India, 1982-2002

Growth changes over time among school-aged boys in Kolkata, India, have been investigated using two surveys: 1982-1983 (n = 816) and 1999-2002 (n = 1187). The two surveys were implemented according to highly similar protocols which strongly adds to the reliability and accuracy of the results of the study. Age-specific average height, weight and BMI all increased during these two decades (by respectively, 3.2 cm, 6.1 kg and 2.1 kg/m2), while relative sitting height and sitting height-subischial leg length ratio decreased for almost all ages between 7.0 and 16.0 years. Moreover, the prevalence of stunting and thinness declined (stunting from 11.2% to 4.9%, p < 0.01, thinness from 50.5% to 22%, p < 0.01), while the prevalence of overweight increased (from 4.7% to 17.2%, p < 0.01). Through analysis of variance, the relationships between various socio-economic factors and anthropometric traits are analyzed. Factors strongly related with positive changes in anthropometric traits are maternal education and family expenditure.