Inbreeding depression in anthropometric traits among Telaga boys of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India

Inbreeding depression in phenotypic variations as well as reproductive capacity was reported in animals. Depression of physical measurements in human beings especially among infants and adults due to inbreeding has also been reported all over the world. The present study is an attempt to examine the nature of inbreeding effect on growing children at each yearly age with increase of inbreeding intensity in a local endogamous population based on pedigree data. In general, mean values of measurements appear to be smaller in higher levels of inbreeding from that of lower levels of inbreeding in each yearly age. These differences are even more marked when grouped as low and high inbreeding level. The percent of inbreeding depression tends to be larger in post adolescent boys than in younger children.     

Anthropometry and body composition in soccer and volleyball players in West Bengal, India

50 sedentary males and 128 sports persons (volleyball=82, soccer=46) of 20-24 years were selected from West Bengal, India, to evaluate and compare their anthropometry and body composition. Skinfolds, girth measurements, body fat percentage (%fat), and endomorphy were significantly higher among sedentary individuals, but lean body mass (LBM) and mesomorphy were significantly (p<0.001) higher among the sports persons. Soccer and volleyball players were found to be ectomorphic mesomorph, whereas sedentary subjects were endomorphic mesomorph. The soccer and volleyball players had higher %fat with lower body height and body mass than their overseas counterparts. %fat exhibited a significant correlation with body mass index (BMI) and thus prediction equations for %fat from BMI were computed in each group. The present data will serve as a reference standard for the anthropometry and body composition of Indian soccer and volleyball players and the prediction norms for %fat will help to provide a first-hand impression of body composition in the studied population.     

Anthropometric and body composition characteristics during pregnancy: A study from West Bengal,India

The present cross-sectional study was aimed at investigating changes in anthropometric, body composition and blood pressure characteristics during pregnancy. A total of 406 healthy, pregnant women aged between 16 and 33 years participated in the study. Pregnant women were recruited from the outpatient department of the two-referral hospital in Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district, West Bengal, India. Anthropometric measures such as height, weight, three circumferences and skinfold thickness at four sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailaic) were obtained using standard techniques. Percentages of body fat (%BF), intra abdominal visceral fat (IVF), basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body mass index (BMI) were measured using an Omron body fat analyser. Two forenoon blood pressure measurements were also taken and averaged for analysis. Subjects were categorized into three trimester groups: Group I, n = 30; Group II, n = 163; and Group III, n = 213. ANOVA with Scheffe's post-hoc test revealed that Group I had significantly lower mean than both Group II and Group III for systolic blood pressure and IVF, whereas Group I had significantly lower mean than Group III for BMI, BMR, %BF, diastolic blood pressure and skinfolds. The mean change in maternal weight from the first to the third trimester was merely 3 kg. Mean waist circumference varied from the first to the third trimester but not from the first to the second trimester. Furthermore, significantly increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed across the trimesters. However, longitudinal studies involving interaction of body fat topography and pregnancy-induced hormones are required to further our understanding of gestation mechanism.     

Trends of consanguineous marriages in a Sunni Muslim population of West Bengal, India

The Muslim population of the Chaltaberia village in the district of South 24 Parganas in West Bengal is divided into several wards (paras) inhabited by people of specific surnames. The frequency of endogamous marriages within surnames is greater than randomly expected ones. An incomplete reproductive isolation is observed among the five dominant surnames. Consanguineous marriages occur more often outside the village than inside. Leaving out marriages between long distances, a small median distance of 6.36 km is recorded. The neighborhood area works up to be 552.2 km2, which is rather small. There is an underlying process of breeding isolation by distance. A generation length of 21 years has been used for examining the temporal change in consanguineous marriages and inbreeding, which generally appears to increase. There is a general trend of decline in consanguineous marriages towards the southern part of West Bengal and eastern part of Assam among the Bengalee Muslims. The frequency of consanguineous marriages is 7.3% out of all marriages (N=1153) that have taken place in six generations in the population. The first cousin marriage is nearly 50% of all marriages. Patrilineal marriages are common in marriages between second and third cousins. An increase of consanguineous marriages in the younger generation was observed, but the total frequency agrees with a general trend of a decline in the frequency of consanguineous marriages among the Muslims in this part of India.     

Gene differentiation among ten endogamous groups of West Bengal, India

Ten endogamous populations of West Bengal, India have been surveyed for genetic variation in 12 systems. These populations encompass all social ranks in the caste hierarchy and cover almost the entire geographic area of the state. Gene diversity analysis suggests that these groups exhibit significant allele frequency variation at all but three loci. The overall genetic difference is not, however, in accord with the classification based on caste. Two low-ranking scheduled caste groups are, in fact, in close proximity with the high-caste ones, suggesting evidence of past generations of gene flow among them. Three different clusters of groups emerge from the present data, providing support for the anthropologic assertion that in Bengal Proto-Australoid, Caucasoid, and Mongoloid racial elements generally coexist. However, these three components are not uniformly present in all groups. Geographic separation of the groups is a strong determinant of the gene differentiation that exists among these populations.     

Floristic composition and biological spectrum of a sacred grove in West Midnapore district,West Bengal,India

Traditional cultural and religious beliefs and practices in the form of sacred groves play a crucial role in environmental conservation and biodiversity. The present study was conducted to explore plant resources, their biological spectrum, leaf size spectrum, sacred grove conservation status, locally known as Kankabati Sitabala Than (KST) in the district of West Midnapore, West Bengal in India. The study's floristic list revealed that the KST vegetation was diverse and composed of 277 species of 238 genera distributed over 77 families under 36 orders according to APG IV classification, of which 87 species were aliens. Poales (23.40%) and Poaceae (15.38%) were the dominant order and family in terms of species wealth. Biological spectrum shows the study area was classified as “thero-crypto-chamaephytic” type of phytoclimate. Leptophyll (26.60%) and ovate (18.91%) were found to be high in the leaf size spectrum and lamina. The vulnerable climber and tree species are Cayratia pedata and Pterocarpus indicus. The vegetation phenology, observed during different seasons revealed that most of the species were dominant in rainy seasons (99.68%), followed by winter (69.87%) and summer (29.81%). The study area being a sacred grove remains fairly undisturbed. For the long-term conservation of germplasm of the grove some recommendations have been suggested.     

Impact of social class on body fatness among rural pre-school Bengalee Hindu children of Arambagh, West Bengal, India

Body composition is a useful marker for assessing the adiposity of an individual. The amount of body fat (BF) differs with age, sex, environmental conditions and genotype, and is a good indicator of the health and nutritional status of a community. As the subcutaneous fat serves as a reservoir for energy during nutritional deprivation, lower BF in comparison with other studies indicates a lower energy intake by those children, who are affected by their lower socio-economic status. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of socio-economic class, after allowing for sex and age, on body fatness among rural pre-school children of Bengalee Hindu ethnicity of Arambagh, West Bengal, India. The present study was undertaken at 20 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme centers in Bali Gram Panchayat, Arambagh, Hooghly District of West Bengal, India. A total of 1012 boys and girls (aged 2-6 years) living in these areas were studied. The children were classified into two groups based on their social class: Schedule Castes (SC) and Non-Schedule Castes (NSC). In general, SC comprise socio-economically and educationally deprived individuals. Three-way analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of ethnicity on mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and sum of skinfolds (SS), allowing for age and sex. There was an increasing age trend in both these variables in both sexes in the two groups. All three factors had a significant effect on MUAC, whereas only age and social class had a significant impact on SS. In the case of MUAC, only one second order interaction (sex-age) was significant. In conclusion, we found that after controlling for age and sex, children belonging to the SC group had lower body fatness. These results implied that they were under more nutritional stress. There was also some evidence that at the early ages, girls belonging to the SC group probably received inadequate nutrition and as a result had lower body fat.     

Age variations in anthropometric and body composition characteristics and underweight among male Bathudis--a tribal population of Keonjhar District, Orissa, India

A cross-sectional study of 226 male Bathudis, a tribal population of Keonjhar District, Orissa, India, was undertaken to investigate age variations in anthropometric and body composition characteristics and the frequency of underweight. The subjects were categorized into three age groups: Group I: < 30 years, Group 11: 30-49 years, Group III: 2 50 years. Height, weight, circumferences and skinfolds data were collected. Body mass index (BMI) and several body composition variables and indices were derived using standard equations. Results revealed that there existed significant negative age variations for most of the anthropometric and body composition variables and indices. Correlation studies of age with these variables and indices revealed significant negative correlations. Linear regression analyses revealed that for all these variables, age had a significant negative impact. It was also observed that with increasing age, there was an increase in the frequency of underweight individuals. In conclusion, this study showed that among Bathudi men, age was significantly negatively related with anthropometric and body composition variables and indices. Furthermore, with increasing age, the frequency of underweight individuals increased.     

The composition of Naja naja venom samples from three districts of West Bengal, India

The variation in the composition of Naja naja venoms from three neighbouring districts of West Bengal, eastern India and the corresponding differences in the severity of pathogenesis due to venom composition variation are reported. These venom samples differ with respect to chromatographic elution profile and enzyme activity associated with each fraction. Presence of higher quantities of basic phospholipase and plasma protein hydrolase in the venom samples of Burdwan and Purulia make them more toxic than Midnapur venom sample. A polyvalent antivenom manufactured in western India was hardly effective in neutralizing the pathobiological manifestation of the venom samples from eastern India.     

Relationship between measures of body size and composition and velocity of lactate threshold

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the relationship between velocity of lactate threshold (vLT) and various measures of body mass and composition: mass, lean mass, fat mass, percent body fat (% fat), and body surface area (BSA). We hypothesized that mass would be inversely related to vLT, and that differences in measures of body mass and composition would account for a significant amount of variability in vLT. A total of 21 healthy male runners served as subjects. Body composition was assessed by hydrostatic weighing. A significant negative relationship (r = -0.759, p < or = 0.01) was between body mass and vLT. The coefficient of determination between vLT and body mass indicated that nearly 58% of the variability in vLT was explained by body mass in these subjects. Significant relationships were also between vLT and BSA (r = -0.72, p < or = 0.01), fat mass (r = -0.70, p < or = 0.01), % fat (r = -0.59, p < or = 0.01), and lean mass (r = -0.41, p < or = 0.05). Linear regression yielded the following model: y = 369.48 - 1.7343 (X), where y = predicted vLT (m.min(-1)) and X = body mass (kilograms) (SEE = 15.45). Velocity of lactate threshold was significantly inversely related with body mass in a group of male runners. The calculated coefficient of determination suggests that nearly 58% of the variability in vLT was explained by body mass. The present data suggest consideration of categorizing participants in 'road runs' by body mass to equate competition, as is done in other sports (e.g., weightlifting).     

A study on Cormic Index among semi-urban Bengalee Boys of West Bengal, India

Since stature is an additive measurement, it would be useful to examine the pattern of its constituent segments in terms of sitting height and subischial leg length for the evaluation and insight of various growth related issues as well. The aim of the present study was to understand the growth patterns with respect to height (HT), sitting height (SH), subischial leg length (SLL), Cormic Index (CRI) and their relationship with age. The present cross-sectional study includes 162 Bengalee boys aged 6-12 years. Age effect displayed significant positive correlation with HT (r = 0.734), SLL (r = 0.731) and SH (r = 0.637). However, CRI revealed significant negative correlation (r = -0.433) with age. This may be due to the fact that in these ages tempo of growth in SLL was higher than SH. Age-wise correlation between SH and SLL changes dramatically and varies from 0.474 to 0.750 due to the variation in the tempo of growth.     

Regional adiposity, body composition and central body fat distribution of 10-16 years old Bengalee boys of Nimta, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India

A cross-sectional study of 502 Bengalee boys aged 10-16 years of Nimta, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India, was undertaken to study regional adiposity, body composition and central body fat distribution. The subjects were classified into seven age groups: 10-10.9 years (n = 74), 11-11.9 (n = 53), 12-12.9 (n = 87), 13-13.9 (n = 116), 14-14.9 (n = 58), 15-15.9 (n = 57), 16-16.9 (n = 57). In general, there was a significant linear increasing trend from 10 to 16 years for all the anthropometric variables. There was a net increase of 30.5 cm and 22.8 kg in mean height and weight, respectively, between 10 and 16 years of age. Mean BMI increased by 3.7 kg/m2 during the same period. Among circumferences, the largest increase was in hip followed by chest while the smallest increase was in mid upper arm, between 10 and 16 years of age. Subscapular skinfold showed the largest increase followed by abdomen and suprailiac skinfolds, while the increase was least in forearm skinfold. Significant linear increasing trend was observed for all the body composition measures. The largest increase in percent of body fat (PBF) was observed between ages 10 and 11 years while mean fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM) and fat mass index (FMI) increased the most between 14 to 15 years. However, an overall decreasing trend was observed, in mean waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) from 10 to 16 years. Boys aged 10 years had the highest mean WHR while those aged 15 years had the lowest mean WHR. There was an increase in mean WHR among 16 years old boys.     

Age and sex variation in measures of body composition among the elderly Bengalee Hindus of Calcutta, India

In the present cross-sectional study we examined 332 (171 men and 161 women) elderly (60 years and above) urban Bengalee Hindu resident in south Calcutta, India. Individuals were selected by random sampling procedure using local voter's registration list. Skin folds measures were used to compute body composition measures among them. There existed significant sex differences in various anthropometric body composition measures. Age had significant (p < 0.001) negative association with all anthropometric body composition measures namely percentage of body fat (PBF), fat mass (FM), arm muscle circumference (AMC), arm muscle area (AMA) and arm fat area (AFA) in both sexes. Fat free mass (FFM) in contrast had negative but not significant age impact. Regression analyses demonstrated that age had explained substantial amount of variance of PBF (men = 32%; women = 18.2%), FM (men = 18.2%; women = 12.8%), AMC (men = 23.4%; women = 19.2%), AMA (men = 22.2%; women = 10.2%) and AFA (men = 34%; women = 31%) in both sexes. Two-way ANOVA revealed age-sex interaction only had significant effect on FFM. The present investigation vindicated that there is a significant inverse age trends in anthropometric body composition measures among the Bengalee Hindus. Moreover, there existed sexual dimorphism in the effect of age on various anthropometric body composition measures.     

Age variations in anthropometric and body composition characteristics and undernutrition among female Bathudis: a tribal population of Keonjhar District, Orissa, India

A cross-sectional study of 183 female Bathudis, a tribal population of the Keonjhar District, Orissa, India, was undertaken to investigate age variations in anthropometric and body composition characteristics and nutritional status. The subjects were categorized into three age groups: < or =30 years, 31-50 years, >50 years. Height, weight, circumferences and skinfolds data were collected. Body mass index (BMI) and several body composition variables and indices were derived using standard equations. The results revealed that there existed significant negative age variations for most of the anthropometric and body composition variables and indices. Correlation studies of age with these variables and indices revealed significant negative correlations. Linear regression analyses revealed that for all variables, age had a significant negative impact. Studies on the nutritional status of these women revealed that with increasing age, there was an increase in the frequency of undernutrition. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that among Bathudi women, age was significantly negatively related with anthropometric and body composition variables and indices. Moreover, with increasing age, the level of undernutrition increased.     

House-dust mite sensitivity among rural and urban asthmatics of West Bengal, India: a comparison

House-dust mite allergy is a fairly common problem in West Bengal among individuals sensitive to dust inhalation. House-dust mites belonging to the genusDermatophagoides are abundant in the homes of asthmatic patients residing in urban as well as rural areas of West Bengal. The frequency of positive skin reaction to different dust-related allergens tested was higher (χ²=5.4777, df = 1;P < 0.05) among patients of urban areas compared with that among the patients of rural areas. Urban patients showed more frequent skin reaction towards cockroach allergen, while rural patients are more sensitive to hay-dust allergen and these are very much related to their local environmental conditions. Analysis of radioallergosorbent test (RAST) results against house dust (HD) and mites reveal that 73 and 90% patients of both urban and rural areas responded positively towardsDermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) andDermatophagoides farinae (DF) antigens, respectively. The present study indicates no significant difference in house-dust mite sensitivity and mite levels in homes among the rural and urban asthmatics of West Bengal, India as evidenced from the results of analysis of dust samples, allergy skin test and detection of mite-specific IgE antibodies by RAST.     

Human and cattle population changes in deltaic West Bengal,India between 1967 and 1977

Humans and domestic animals in 14.94 square kilometers of rural West Bengal were intensively studied between 1967 and 1970. In 1977, 3.81 square kilometers (25.5%) of the same area was resurveyed and all humans and cattle enumerated. The human population has increased 10% from 1969 to 1977, but the total number of children in the younger age groups has actually diminished. The cattle population has decreased 3.7% since the 1969 census, but in 1977 there were 19% fewer working bullocks present. Other significant observations relative to the primary productivity and economics of the area are noted. This research was supported by a 1977–1978 Indo-American Fellowship Award from the Indo-U.S. Subcommission on Education and Culture.     

Presence of high rates of overweight and obesity among adult Marwaris of Howrah, West Bengal, India

A cross-sectional study of 220 (110 men and 110 women) adult (> 20 years) Marwaris of Howrah, West Bengal, India, was undertaken to investigate the frequency of overweight and obesity, using different criteria. Results revealed that men had significantly greater mean height, weight, waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), conicity index (CI) and fat free mass (FFM), compared with women. Women had significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI), biceps (BSF) and triceps (TSF) skinfolds, mid-upper arm (MUAC) and hip (HC) circumferences, percent body fat (PBF), fat mass index (FMI), mid-arm fat area (MAFA) and PBF/BMI ratio compared with men. The frequency of overweight (BMI > or = 25.0) was significantly higher among women (71.8%) compared with men (44.5%). Similarly, significantly more women (41.8%) had high WHR than men (22.7%). Significantly more women also had high PBF (97.3%) compared with men (90.9%). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that the level of overall and central adiposity, as well as body fat, was found to be high among Marwaris, as compared with other ethnic populations of India. Moreover, there existed significant sexual dimorphism in these measures among this ethnic group. This high level of overall and central adiposity and body fat could have severe adverse health implications in this ethnic group.     

The Effect of Inbreeding on Mortality and Morbidity among Telugu-speaking Populations of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India

Increased mortality and morbidity including congenital malformations among the offspring of consanguineous marriages have been widely reported in human populations from different parts of the world. However, there are few studies on the effect of the intensity of inbreeding and different degrees of inbreeding on mortality and morbidity. The present study is an attempt to examine the effects of inbreeding on mortality and morbidity including congenital disorders in different levels of inbreeding among Telugu-speaking populations of Kharagpur, West Bengal, India, based on data collected through extensive pedigrees. The study reveals that the frequency of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths is higher in the offspring of consanguineous marriages than in that of non-consanguineous marriages. A similar effect is also observed in the infant mortality rate, which is known to have a genetic component, but is not seen in the mortality rate of children and juveniles. The rate of morbidity is consistently higher in the offspring of consanguineous marriages with a sex bias in favour of inbred females. The increased morbidity rates in inbred individuals tend to be inversely correlated with the increase in average autosomal inbreeding coefficient. This appears to strengthen Sanghvi’s hypothesis of a decline in the frequency of deleterious genes with intensification of inbreeding through generations. The present study also confirms an increase in genetic disorders with an increase in inbreeding in almost all populations.     

Relationship of handgrip strength with anthropometric and body composition variables in prepubertal children

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship of handgrip strength with basic anthropometric variables, hand anthropometric variables, total body and hand composition, total body and hand bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in prepubertal children aged between 8 and 11 years (n=64, 27 boys, 37 girls). Height and body mass were measured and body mass index (BMI kg/m²) was calculated. Biceps and triceps skinfolds, arm relaxed, arm flexed, forearm and wrist girths, acromiale-radiale, radiale-stylion-radiale and midstylion-dactylion length and humerus breadth were measured. Specific hand anthropometric variables according to Visnapuu and Jürimäe [2007. Handgrip strength and hand dimensions in young handball and basketball players. J. Strength Cond. Res. 21, 923-929] were used. Five fingers’ spans, fingers’ lengths and perimeters of the hand were measured. Total body and right-hand fat percentage, fat mass and lean mass (LBM) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Right-hand BMC and BMD were analysed from the bone variables. Maximal handgrip strength of the right hand was measured with the hand dynamometer. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the most important predictive value from the basic anthropometric variables was body height, explaining 76.1% (R²×100), 40.7% and 50.6% of the handgrip strength in boys, girls and total group, respectively. Measured skinfold thicknesses and breadths were not related to handgrip strength in any group. Forearm girths significantly predicted handgrip strength in boys (30.8%), girls (43.4%) and total group (43.4%). As a rule, handgrip strength was more dependent on the anthropometric and body composition variables in boys than girls. It was concluded that body height, forearm girth, midstylion-dactylion and acromiale-radiale length and hand LBM and BMC are the most limiting factors influencing handgrip strength in prepubertal children.