Factors Affecting Body Composition among Adolescent Boys of Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur districts, West Bengal, India

Introduction: Adolescence period is a very important period in human life cycle, most of the physical and psychological changes occur in this period. During this time body composition changes markedly. In humans body composition varies depending on ethnicity, heredity, age, sex, environment and nutrition. This study focuses on examining the factors influencing nutritional status and body composition. Methods: This study was done among 516 boys belonging to the age of 10-17 years, chosen randomly. Data on monthly family income, community, anthropometric and body composition variables were taken using a pretested schedule. Statistical tests like t- Test, ANOVA and Regression analysis were performed using SPSS 16.0 v. Significance level was set up at the level p<0.05. Results: The mean values of every variable discussed, found to be highest in higher income category i.e. >7396.00 Rs. And lowest in lower income category i.e. <4634.99 Rs. PBF, FM and FMI are observed to increase with increasing income category. The mean values of PBF, FM, FMI and FFMI are higher in non-tribal participants, and FFM and BMI are found to have no significant difference between the two groups. There is significant effect of income on PBF, FM, FFM, FMI, FFMI and BMI. There is also significant effect of community on PBF, FFM, FFMI, BMI, except FM and FMI. It is also observed that if income can be controlled for the participants, over that community has impact on the body composition variables except FM and FMI. Conclusion: Many factors are influencing body composition with a combined effect. More such studies need to be done to compare the diverse pattern of body composition change among other ethnic populations across world.