Sex Differences in Anthropometric Characteristics among 11–14-year-old Urban Bengalees of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to investigate sex differences in anthropometric characteristics, including central body fat distribution, among 11–14-year-old urban Bengalees of West Bengal, India. The sample consisted of 559 (314 boys and 245 girls) randomly selected students from two schools of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India. Height, weight, six circumference and ten skinfold measurements were made on each subject. Waist-hip ratio (WHR) was used as a measure of central body fat distribution. Results revealed that significant sex differences existed in mean anthropometric characteristics. On average, girls were significantly taller and heavier and had greater mean waist circumference (WC) than boys until 13 years of age, after which boys had significantly greater mean height, weight and WC. Girls had significantly greater mean hip circumference and mean skinfolds at all ages, compared with boys. Mean WHR among boys was significantly greater at all ages. Of all the anthropometric measurements studied, only for mean WHR no significant age trend was observed, in both sexes. In conclusion, this study indicated that there existed sexual dimorphism in adiposity and central fat distribution among 11–14-year-old urban Bengalees. Furthermore, significant positive age trends were observed, in both sexes, for all anthropometric variables except WHR. Thus, central body fat distribution remains unchanged during this period, in both sexes.