Relationships between anthropometry and retrospective morbidity in poor men in Calcutta, India.

OBJECTIVE

The evaluation of body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric measures as possible indicators of chronic energy deficiency, by examination of the relationships between these measures and retrospective morbidity in a group of very poor men in Calcutta, India.

DESIGN

Anthropometric measurement and retrospective recording of treatment history over the previous year, from health records.

SETTING

A primary care centre, the Middleton Row street clinic.

SUBJECTS

All men attending the clinic for either provision of basic needs (food, clothing, plastic sheeting for building of shelter) or medical treatment during July and August, 1992. 190 men with 1-year retrospective treatment records were measured.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

RESULTS

Values for mean height, weight, arm circumference and triceps skinfold were lower than for any population of Indian males thus far reported. 44% of the men had BMI < 16, retrospective morbidity being two to three times higher in those below this cut-off than those above it. BMI < 16 was associated with greater retrospective morbidity due to respiratory tract infection and tuberculosis. For men aged 18-64 years, weight, height, arm circumference and age were significant discriminators of retrospective respiratory morbidity, while calf circumference, height, weight and age were significant discriminators of retrospective tuberculosis morbidity. Of the derived variables, BMI was a better discriminator of retrospective respiratory morbidity than arm fat area and percentage body fat, and the only discriminator of retrospective tuberculosis morbidity. For men aged > or = 65 years, weight and calf circumference were significant discriminators of respiratory infection, while age was the only discriminator of tuberculosis morbidity. Of the derived variables, BMI alone discriminated retrospective respiratory infection.

CONCLUSION

BMI was the best overall discriminator of retrospective morbidity in this group of poor Calcutta men. Anthropometric criteria were better discriminators of retrospective morbidity in men between the ages of 18 and 64 years than in men aged 65 years and over.