Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Anthropometric Measurements in Secondary School Children in Mumbai, India

Objective This study assessed the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on anthropometric measurements in secondary school children in Mumbai, India. Method This was cross sectional study of 522 children between 12.5 to 15.5 years of age selected by convenient sampling from various schools in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Anthropometric measurements like Body mass Index (BMI), Waist circumference (WC) and percent body fat was measured using standard techniques. SES was assessed using modified Kuppuswamys socioeconomic status scale and school attended was used as proxy measure of socioeconomic status. Results and Conclusion BMI, WC and percent body fat were observed to be more in children from upper SES group as compared to lower and middle SES groups. This study thus confirms the direct effect of socioeconomic status on anthropometric measurements in children.