Anthropometric Study of the Shantal Community in Rajshahi District

Abstract

The aim of the thesis was to study Anthropometric variables stað€€Šure, body weight, body mass index (BMI), sitting height and chest circumference, to find their relationships with some of the demographic and Socio-economic variables of Shantal community in Rajshshi District, Bangladesh. The_demographic and socio­economic variables were collected through a questionnaire (in Appendix-I). Anthropometric measurements were taken by the· author himself. The cluster sampling technique was applied. The sample size were 396 for male and 438 for female. The present study demonstrated that the average stature, body weight, sitting height and chest circumference of young Shantals were increasing comparatively with those of oldest Shantals. Almost every Shantals were very lean and thin and stature, body weight, sitting height, and chest circumference of Shantals were positively and significantly related to each other. The present study indicated that the female onset of menarche of Shantals community reached earlier who were heavier and became late menarche who were both taller and thinner. Also lower BMI of female Shantals were reached age at menarche earlier than those of larger BMI. Also, age at menarche was earlier for those whose family income were higher and was late for those whose family income were lower and the onset of menarche reached earlier than those who have fewer number of sibling. Through the logistic regression, the present study suggest that the stature of literate male Shantals were shorter than the stature of illiterate Shantals and their differences were signHicant (p<0.05). The body weight and occupation were negatively associated but their differences were insignificant. The stature of literate female Shantals were higher than the stature of illiterate female Shantals and the body weight of female labors were lower than the body weight of non-labor female Shantals with significant differences. Sexual differences among stature, body weight and BMI of Shantals were found and the male Shantals were taller in stature and heavier in body weight than female Shantals and female Shantals were lean and thin. Government should take favorable view and necessary co-operations for their better health, social and economic management.