Prediction of nutritional status from skinfold thickness in undernourished Santal children of Purulia district, India.

The present study was undertaken to explore whether the skinfold thickness can be used in assessing the nutritional status in 5-12 years aged Santal children of Purulia district of West Bengal and to determine the sensitivity of these parameters for measuring the nutritional status. Height, weight and skinfold thickness of triceps (TRSF), biceps, suprailiac, subscapula (SBSF) and calf of Santal children were measured. Growth curves of TRSF-forage and SBSF-for-age in Santal children are placed at lower level of reference values indicating prevailed undernutrition in surveyed children. The SBSF for boys and TRSF for girls are significantly associated with nutritional status. Present study suggests that SBSF for boys and TRSF for girls are more sensitive than other skinfold thickness for the assessment of nutritional status in Santal children. Relationship of growth pattern of skinfold thickness is different in undernourished Santal children compared to well-nourished Santal children.