An assessment of the nutritional status of UWI (Mona) students: anthropometry - abstract

ABSTRACT

The weight and height of 703 students at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, were measured. This number represents 26 percent of the under-26-year-old student population. The Quetelet Index, also known as the body mass index, (Wt. Ht(to -2 power), Kg.m(to -2 power) was used to classify students as underweight, 'normal' or overweight. Thirty-eight per cent of the students were found to be underweight, 55 percent were 'normal' and 7 percent overweight. There were more underweight females than males, with the converse in the "normal" category. The sexes were evenly distributed in the overweight class. An increase in weight and height was observed for Jamaican students compared with young Jamaicans measured in 1959. However, comparison between countries of origin of the students showed that the Jamaicans had the highest percentage of underweight, and the least 'normal' weight students. Financial constraints, lack of nutrition knowledge and poor dietary practices are possible reasons for the high percentage of underweight students. It is suggested that more detailed dietary and biochemical investigation should be undertaken (AU)