Biomedical subjects

N Balakrishna

Publications and source records attributed to N Balakrishna.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Maternal lean body mass may be the major determinant of birth weight: A study from India.

This study explored the relationship of maternal body composition parameters to the birth weight of the offspring. Maternal anthropometric parameters (weight, height) and body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were measured in 76 women from low-income group during 12-21 days postpartum. The mean+/-s.d. height, weight of the mothers and birth weight of the newborns were 151.5+/-5.29 cm, 46.7+/-6.04 and 2.84+/-0.358 kg, respectively. When the relationship of maternal anthropometric and body composition parameters to the infants' birth weight was studied, maternal lean body mass was found to be the most important determinant of birth weight (R2 (%) = 21.3) (P < 0.001). This study highlights the importance of increasing lean body mass in young women for better pregnancy outcome.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2006

Effect of micronutrient supplementation on health and nutritional status of schoolchildren: growth and morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of a micronutrient-fortified beverage on growth and morbidity in apparently healthy schoolchildren. METHODS: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, matched-pair, cluster, randomized study in semi-urban middle-income residential schoolchildren aged 6 to 16 y. Anthropometrics (height and weight), clinical symptoms of deficiency, and morbidity data were collected at baseline in the supplemented group (n = 446 in 10 grades) and the placebo group (n = 423 in 10 grades) and after 14 mo of supplementation (n = 355 in the supplement group and n = 340 in the placebo group from nine pairs). RESULTS: After 14 mo of supplementation, there was a significant increase in mean increments of height and weight z scores of -0.04 and 0.02, respectively, in the supplemented group compared with -0.14 and -0.09 in the placebo group. Velocity of weight (3.56 versus 3.00) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher with supplementation. Although there were no differences in the incidence of common childhood diseases such as fever, cough and cold, diarrhea, and ear infections elicited for a reference period of 1 mo at every quarterly follow-up examination, the mean duration of illness (calculated per person per year) was significantly shorter (5.0 d) in the supplemented group than in the placebo group (7.4 d). CONCLUSIONS: The micronutrient-fortified beverage was beneficial in promoting growth and decreasing duration of common illnesses among middle-class residential schoolchildren who had adequate energy and protein intakes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Bone status of Indian women from a low-income group and its relationship to the nutritional status.

Indian women from low-income groups consume diets that have inadequate calcium coupled with too few calories, proteins and micronutrients. Hospital-based data suggest that these women have osteoporotic hip fractures at a much earlier age than Western women. Studies reporting bone parameters of the Indian population involving large sample sizes are not available. This study was therefore carried out with 289 women in the 30-60-year age group to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis and measure the bone parameters by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Their mean (+/- SD) age was 41.0+/-8.60 years. Their mean (+/- SD) height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were 149.1+/-5.49 cm, 49.2+/-9.85 kg and 22.1+/-3.99, respectively. Dietary intake of calcium was estimated to be 270+/-57 mg/day. The prevalence of osteoporosis at the femoral neck was around 29%. Bone mineral density (BMD) and T scores at all the skeletal sites were much lower than the values reported from the developed countries and were indicative of a high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis. BMD showed a decline after the age of 35 years in cases of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. This was largely due to a decrease of bone mineral content (BMC). The nutritional status of women appears to be an important determinant of bone parameters. BMD and BMC at all the skeletal sites and whole body increased significantly with increasing body weight and BMI of women (P<0.05). However, bone area (BA) did not change with an increase in BMI. In the multiple regression analysis, apart from body weight, age, menopause and calcium intake were the other important determinants of BMD (P<0.05). In addition to these, height was also an important determinant of WB-BMC. This study highlights the urgent need for measures to improve the nutritional status, dietary calcium intake and thus the bone health of this population.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2005

Influence of socioeconomic status on lung function and prediction equations in Indian children.

The present study was carried out to assess the influence of socioeconomic status on lung functions and to suggest prediction equations for Indian children. For this purpose, 2,616 normal, healthy schoolchildren aged between 5-15 years were recruited. Boys were classified into three groups, i.e., high-income (HIG), middle-income (MIG), and low-income (LIG), while girls were classified into HIG and LIG groups, based on socioeconomic status (SES). Height, weight, chest circumference, body surface area (BSA), fat-free mass (FFM), and body fat were assessed. Forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were measured. The results, before and after adjustment of physical characteristics, showed that anthropometry, body composition, and lung functions were significantly higher in HIG compared to MIG and LIG children, while in girls, no differences were observed in physical characteristics after adjustments. Multiple linear regression equations were developed to predict FEV1, FVC, and PEFR, using independent variables like age, height, fat-free mass, and SES. It is opined that these equations could be used as Indian reference equations for healthy children based on the SES.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Nutritional status of the tribal elderly in India.

The objective of the paper is to assess the diet and nutritional status of the tribal elderly (> or = 60 years) using data from a cross-sectional study carried out by National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) exclusively in Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) villages of 9 provincial States in India during 1998-1999. A total of 1,239 elderly completed the diet survey (24-hour recall) and 3,932 elderly completed anthropometric measurements. In general, the mean consumption of all the foods and the median intakes of all the nutrients were below the Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI) in both men and women. The mean heights and weights significantly decreased with increase in age in both males and females (p < 0.001). The prevalence of Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED = BMI < 18.5) was relatively higher (65.4%) in females compared with their male counterparts (61.8%). The prevalence of CED was significantly higher (p < 0.001) among the elderly living in kutchaand landless households. The tribal elderly are subsisting on inadequate diets, which are reflected in the poor intakes of all the nutrients and higher prevalence of undernutrition. Significantly higher proportion of tribal elderly are undernourished compared with their rural counterparts (p < 0.001).

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Genotoxicity evaluation of individuals working with photocopying machines.

Photocopying machines are a common sight in the cities of India. There is ample evidence showing that the components of toners individually or in the form of a complex mixture are genotoxic. Toxic components of the photocopiers are from their emissions, toners and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs). In the present study micronucleus test (MNT) on buccal epithelial cells, cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) assay and chromosomal aberration analysis on peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed on 98 workers occupationally involved in photocopying and 90 age and sex matched controls. The results showed a significant increase in the frequency of MN in buccal epithelial cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes, as well as chromosomal aberrations in the exposed as compared to the control subjects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Validation of hemoglobin estimation using Hemocue.

OBJECTIVE: This piece of work is an attempt to compare Hemocue and Cyanmethemoglobin methods for hemoglobin estimation. METHODS: In 100 apparently healthy children of 1-6 years of age, Hb was estimated using Hemocue and cyanmethemoglobin methods from finger prick blood sample. The results obtained by the two methods were compared using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD values for hemoglobin (g/dl) were 9.33 +/- 2.719 by Hemocue and 8.14 +/- 2.448 by cyanmethemoglobin method. When assessed by Hemocue method the proportion of children with anemia was 66% while it was 88% with cyanmethemoglobin method. The sensitivity of Hemocue method was 0.75 and specificity 1.0 considering cyanmethemoglobin method as gold standard. The corresponding values by cyanmethemoglobin method for a given Hemocue value fell within the Mean difference +/- 2 SD with correlation coefficient being r = 0.922. Despite the good association, the two methods agreed, the magnitude of difference being -1.19 g/dl (CI: -1.40 to -0.98) thus suggesting an overestimate of hemocue values ranging from 10 to 15%. A correction factor was arrived for converting Hb values obtained by Hemocue method to arrive at the expected value by the reference method, this factor being 0.389 + 0.831 Hb (Hemocue). CONCLUSION: As there are limitations expressed for both the methods in accurately estimating Hb, it is difficult to decide whether one is an overestimate or the other an underestimate. By virtue of the principle involved in estimating Hb, cyanmethemoglobin method may be taken as an indirect indicator of iron status. However, it is not clear whether such a principle is involved in estimating Hb by Hemocue. Therefore, these two methods need to be further validated against a sensitive and specific indicator for iron status like circulating transferrin receptor to decide which of the methods can be used to accurately determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in the community.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗

PubMed2003

Serum transferrin receptor in children with respiratory infections.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of infection on iron status in children suffering from acute, mild or severe respiratory infections and to determine the nature of anemia in infection using serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels. DESIGN: Forty-three children aged between 3 and 5 y with no evidence of infection and receiving iron supplements in the preceding 100 days served as controls. Twenty-one children with mild upper respiratory infection and 94 children hospitalized for acute pneumonia constituted the experimental group. Hemoglobin (Hb), sTfR and serum ferritin were estimated in all the children at the time of diagnosis and again on the 15th and 30th days after the infection in those who were available for follow-up. RESULTS: Mean (95% CI) sTfR was 6.08 (5.1-7.1) mg/l in healthy non-anemic children. Upper respiratory infection had no impact on Hb or sTfR but it significantly elevated serum ferritin levels. Eighty-three percent of the children with pneumonia had Hb less than 110 g/l at the time of diagnosis and had elevated mean sTfR, 18.0 (15.7-20.3) mg/l. There was a decline in mean sTfR by the 15th day of infection to 14.3 (11.3-17.4) mg/l with further rise to 22.9 (13.0-31.9) mg/l by 30 days. Serum ferritin was significantly elevated at the time of diagnosis (85.9; 71.1-100.8 micro g/l) as well as at 15 days (89.1; 68-110.1 micro g/l) with a decline by 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Severe lower respiratory infection exaggerates iron-deficient erythropoiesis by blocking release of iron from the storage pools. sTfR may not be a sensitive and specific tool of assessing true iron status of children exposed to severe infections.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

Antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation in patients with skeletal fluorosis and in fluoride-intoxicated rabbits.

Fluorosis is a serious public health problem in many parts of the world where drinking water contains more than 1 ppm of fluoride. The main manifestations of skeletal fluorosis are crippling bone deformities, spinal compressions, and restricted movements of joints. Although fluorosis is irreversible, it could be prevented by appropriate and timely intervention through understanding the process at biochemical and molecular levels. As in the case of many chronic degenerative diseases, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation has been considered to play an important role, even in the pathogenesis of chronic fluoride toxicity. However, there is inconclusive proof for an altered oxidative stress and antioxidant balance in fluorosis, and the existing data are not only conflicting but also contradictory. In the present communication we have evaluated the antioxidant defense system (both enzymatic and nonenzymatic) and lipid peroxidation in both humans from an endemic fluorosis area (5 ppm fluoride in the drinking water) and in rabbits receiving water with 150 ppm of fluoride for six months. There was no significant difference in lipid peroxidation, glutathione, and vitamin C in the blood of human fluorotic patients and fluoride-intoxicated rabbits as compared to respective controls. Neither were there any changes in the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, or glutathione S-transferase in the blood due to fluoride intoxication (of rabbits) or fluorosis in humans. The results together do not subscribe to oxidative stress theory in fluorosis. Thus, in the absence of clear proof of oxidative damage and to counter toxic effects of fluoride through supplementation of antioxidants, extensive investigations are needed to conclusively prove the role of oxidative stress in skeletal fluorosis.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Red palm oil supplementation: a feasible diet-based approach to improve the vitamin A status of pregnant women and their infants.

This double-blinded, randomized, controlled study was designed to study the effect of dietary supplementation with red palm oil during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal vitamin A status. A total of 170 women were recruited at 16 to 24 weeks of gestation and randomly assigned to an experimental group that received red palm oil to supply approximately one recommended dietary amount (RDA) (2,400 micrograms) of beta-carotene or to a control group that received an equivalent volume of groundnut oil. The women received the oils for a period of 8 weeks, starting at 26 to 28 weeks of gestation and extending to 34 to 36 weeks of gestation. The mean postintervention (34 to 36 weeks) levels of serum retinol were 1.20 +/- 0.22 (SD) mumol/L (95% CI, 1.15-1.25) in women receiving red palm oil and 0.73 +/- 0.15 mumol/L (95% CI, 0.69-0.77) in their infants; these levels were significantly higher than those in women receiving groundnut oil (1.07 +/- 0.26 mumol/L; 95% CI, 1.01-1.13; p < .01) and their infants (0.62 +/- 0.17 mumol/L; 95% CI, 0.57-0.67; p < .001). A significantly lower proportion of women in the red palm oil group than in the control group had vitamin A deficiency (serum retinol levels < 0.7 mumol/L) after intervention (1.5% vs. 9.7%). The proportion of women having anemia was significantly lower (p < .01) in the red palm oil-supplemented group (80.6%) than in the control group (96.7%). The mean birthweight and gestational age of the infants did not differ significantly between the two groups. An increased risk of low birth-weight (p = .003) and preterm delivery (p = .000) was observed with decreasing serum retinol levels in the third trimester of pregnancy. These results show that red palm oil supplementation significantly improved maternal and neonatal vitamin A status and reduced the prevalence of maternal anemia. Maternal vitamin A status in the later part of pregnancy is significantly associated with fetal growth and maturation. Hence red palm oil, a rich source of bioavailable vitamin A, could be used as a diet-based approach for improving vitamin A status in pregnancy.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Safety and impact of vitamin A supplementation delivered with oral polio vaccine as part of the immunization campaign in Orissa, India.

A study was carried out in Orissa, India, to evaluate the impact on vitamin A status of vitamin A supplementation integrated with an immunization campaign. Data were collected from a representative sample of 1,811 children, aged 12 to 48 months, at baseline and then at 4 and 16 weeks following implementation of vitamin A supplementation. The primary outcome indicator was serum retinol. The coverage of vitamin A supplementation was 97%. There was a significant decline in the prevalence of Bitot's spots from 2.9% to 1.9% at 4 weeks, but the prevalence increased to 3.6% by 16 weeks. Serum retinol concentrations increased between baseline and 4 weeks (from 0.62 +/- 0.32 to 0.73 +/- 0.23 mumol/L, p < .001) but then decreased to 0.50 +/- 0.19 mumol/l at 16 weeks, which was significantly lower than at baseline (p < .001). The greatest increase in serum retinol from baseline to 4-week follow-up was among children with lowest baseline serum retinol and children with Bitot's spots at baseline. This study demonstrates the short-term benefits of vitamin A supplementation to be significant, especially for those whose status is most compromised. At the same time, the benefit of vitamin A supplementation in this population was transient. The impact of the vitamin A could not be sustained for the full 16 weeks in the study population. This finding calls for exploration of other means to improve vitamin A status, perhaps by adjusting the vitamin A supplementation schedule with more aggressive measures to improve intake of foods rich in bioavailable vitamin A, such as small amounts of animal foods or fortified foods. The study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating vitamin A supplementation with immunization campaigns.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2002

Effects of vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy on maternal and child health.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between biochemical vitamin A deficiency in pregnancy and maternal and fetal health. DESIGN: A cross sectional clinical study. SETTING: Antenatal clinic of nutrition unit of Niloufer Hospital catering for a low socio-economic population, and a private nursing home (Swapna nursing home) catering for a high socio-economic population. POPULATION: 736 pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy belonging to low (n = 522) and high socio-economic groups (n = 214). METHODS: All the women were subjected to a detailed clinical, anthropometric and obstetric examination. Night blindness was assessed by administering the standard WHO questionnaire. Birthweight and gestational age of the infants, maternal anaemia and development of pregnancy-induced hypertension in the mother were recorded. Haemoglobin and serum retinol were estimated at the time of recruitment to the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum retinol levels, anaemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, birthweight and gestational age of the infant. RESULTS: Night blindness was observed in 2.9% of the women and subclincal vitamin A deficiency (serum retinol <20 microg/dL with no clinical signs) in 27% of the women. Moderate to severe anaemia was observed in 41.2% of the women, and 15.8% of the women developed pregnancy-induced hypertension. Sixty-one (9.4%) women delivered preterm. Univariate analysis identified a significant association between serum retinol <20 microg/dL and preterm delivery (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.03-2.96), maternal anaemia (OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.28-2.60) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.02-2.83). After adjusting for the confounding variables (body mass index, parity, age and socio-economic status) in a multivariate analysis, the significant associations between serum retinol <20 microg/dL and preterm delivery (P = 0.02) and anaemia (P = 0.003) persisted, while that for pregnancy-induced hypertension disappeared (P = 0.71). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that subclinical vitamin A deficiency is a problem during the third trimester of pregnancy. Serum concentration of retinol <20 microg/dL appears to indicate a deficient status, and is associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery and maternal anaemia.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Association of tumour necrosis factor alpha & malnutrition with outcome in children with acute bacterial meningitis.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) is implicated in the pathogenesis of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM). However, we do not know if the nutritional status influences the concentration of TNF alpha in the CSF in children with ABM. The present study evaluates the association between malnutrition and TNF alpha detectability in CSF and the outcome from ABM in children. METHODS: A total of 120 children aged 1-5 yr diagnosed as ABM, based on the standard criteria of CSF changes were recruited for the study. A CSF sample was collected at the time of admission. TNF alpha was measured by ELISA and CSF culture was done by standard technique. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometry. Outcome was measured by clinical examination. RESULTS: Of the 120 children, 20 died, 36 developed complications and 64 children recovered without sequelae. TNF alpha was detectable in 94 (78.3%) CSF samples, with a range of 32 to 1714 pg/ml. TNF alpha detectability was not associated with either nutritional status or with death and sequelae. However, death and sequelae were significantly (P = 0.01) associated with malnutrition. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: CSF TNF alpha was not associated with nutritional status. However, malnutrition was associated with adverse outcome due to ABM in children.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

Risk assessment in first degree female relatives of breast cancer patients using the alkaline Comet assay.

First degree female relatives (FDFRs) of breast cancer patients have been reported to have a 2- to 3-fold increase in breast cancer risk as compared with the general population. Assessment of genetic instability (DNA damage and repair efficiency) is an important parameter concerning mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. In an attempt to identify individuals at high risk of breast cancer in the FDFRs of breast cancer patients, two tests were used: the alkaline Comet assay on leucocytes and the micronucleus test (MNT) on buccal epithelial cells. In addition to FDFRs, two other categories of subjects were included: breast cancer patients and controls. The Comet assay was used to study basal DNA damage, DNA susceptibility to a mutagen (N-methyl N-nitro N-nitrosoguanidine) and DNA repair efficiency. In addition, the MNT served as an indicator of chromosome breakage/aneuploidy. A significant increase in DNA damage (basal and after treatment with a mutagen, as well as after allowing repair to take place) and micronucleus frequency was observed from controls to FDFRs and from FDFRs to breast cancer patients. There was considerable variability in the subjects with respect to both of these parameters. Outliers identified among the FDFRs based on 3 SD limits of DNA damage and micronucleus frequency were considered as high risk individuals.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Respiratory symptoms and spirometric observations in relation to atmospheric pollutants in a sample of urban population.

The prevalence of respiratory problems and the ventilatory functions in subjects belonging to three sample areas with different levels of pollution was studied to ascertain if there is any association between air pollutant levels and abnormal ventilatory functions. The predominant activity existing in that area served as the basis for stratification of the city into industrial (Group I), commercial (Group II) and residential (Group III) areas. Ambient air quality data of suspended particulate matter SPM, SO2 and NOx of the three sample areas were measured using standard methods. 216 men included in the study were administered the American Thoracic Society--Division of Lung Diseases ATS-DLD respiratory questionnaire, clinically examined and subjected to routine laboratory investigations. Spirometry and salbutamol reversibility tests were performed as per the ATS guidelines 1991. The mean and peak levels of SPM in the commercial area and the peak levels in the residential area were higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The mean and peak levels of NOx and SO2 in all the three areas were lower than the NAAQS. A high prevalence of approximately 30-50% of respiratory symptoms was reported in the present study. Respiratory and ventilatory abnormalities were higher in the commercial areas, which are associated with the higher mean and peak levels of SO2 and the peak levels of NOx. The pollution control measures should also aim at the peak levels of pollutants as they have been shown to exacerbate the respiratory symptoms in the present study.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Risk assessment in cervical dysplasia patients by single cell gel electrophoresis assay: a study of DNA damage and repair.

Precancerous lesions of cervix, commonly known as dysplasia, present a complex problem because of their biological behavior. Increased genetic instability, either inherent or induced by some external mutagen, is considered as a primary event or a predisposing factor to neoplastic transformation. The relationship between genetic instability and susceptibility towards cervical cancer was evaluated with the comet or single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay. Among precancerous individuals, genomic instability was observed in cervical epithelial cells and peripheral blood leukocytes. The mean basal DNA damage and mean susceptibility to DNA damage by the mutagen (MNNG) treatment increased whereas repair capacity decreased with progression of the disease in a stepwise manner. Inter and intra individual variability was maximum in cancerous group. Risk was estimated by giving a predictive value for each precancerous individual. In combination with morphological, biochemical, and cytogenetic parameters, the SCGE assay may serve as a novel tool to predict the fate of cervical dysplasia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Effect of administration of 200,000 IU of vitamin A to women within 24 hrs after delivery on response to PPV administered to the newborn.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of maternal supplementation of vitamin A on the immune response to oral polio vaccine in breastfed infants. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Hospital based. METHODS: One hundred mothers having uncomplicated deliveries randomly received either 200,000 IU vitamin A orally (Experimental) or placebo (Control). All the newborns were given a dose of oral polio vaccine within 72 hours after birth and were breastfed. Type specific neutralizing antibodies to polio viruses in test sera diluted from 1:4 to 1:512 and serum retinol levels were determined from the cord blood and at the age of 6 weeks. Breast milk retinol levels were determined at 3, 10, 30, 45 and 90 days of lactation. RESULTS: Seroconversion to OPV and geometric means of antibody titers to the three types of polio viruses were comparable between the groups of infants belonging to the experimental and control mothers. Breast milk retinol levels were significantly higher in the experimental group upto 45-90 days of lactation. Majority of the infants at birth had serum retinol levels < 15 micrograms/dl which improved significantly by 6 weeks irrespective of the maternal supplementation status. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal vitamin A supplementation soon after delivery improves vitamin A intakes of breastfed infants during the first 3 months and has no interference with the seroconversion to a neonatal dose of OPV. OPV administered to newborn in turn has no adverse effect on the vitamin A status of the breastfed infants.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Feasibility of Broka's index for the nutritional status of adults.

The utility and feasibility of Broka's index for assessing the nutritional status of adults was studied in comparison with the efficacy of weight for height (%) and body mass index (BMI). The coefficients of correlation, sensitivity, specificity and efficiency and Kappa statistic for agreement were determined and tested for significance. The data pertaining to urban adults of Hyderabad belonging to better socio-economic class were utilised. Broka's index was well correlated with weight for height (%) (r = 0.97) and BMI (r = 0.99). Broka's index, BMI and weight for height (%) were least correlated with stature indicating that these indices were of use for classifications of nutritional status irrespective of variations in stature. There was a good agreement between classifications of nutritional status based on Broka's index, weight for height (%) and BMI. The values of sensitivity, specificity and efficiency were in the range of 90-100 per cent. The Kappa statistic of agreement between Broka's index, BMI and weight for height (%) for all forms of nutritional status was 0.839 (P < 0.0001). The mean values of Broka's index, BMI and weight for height (%) were higher in the better socio-economic group as compared to the poor ones. Broka's index which is simple and easy to calculate is useful for the assessment of the grades of body built and nutritional status in adults.

Adult↗