The present investigation has been conducted on a cross-sectional sample comprising of 500 elderly Jat Sikh females (198 from nuclear and 302 from extended families) ranging in age from 60 to 80+ years. The data have been collected from Patiala, Nabha and Rajpura cities of Patiala district. Various anthropometric measurements i.e., circumferences (upper arm, waist, hip and calf) and skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and calf) have been taken on each subject. Standard techniques given by Tanner et al. (1969) have been followed for taking these measurements. From the anthropometric measurements, Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) has been calculated by applying formulae (WHO 2008). The females from both nuclear and extended families have been categorized according to waist circumference cut-off values. The women have been classified into three categories, with waist circumference <80 cm, between 80–88 cm and >88 cm, WHO (2008). The data collected have been arranged into five yearly age groups i.e. 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79 and 80+ years and have been subjected to statistical tests i.e. mean, standard deviation, standard error of mean, coefficient of correlation and test of significance (‘t’ test). The circumference i.e. upper arm, calf and waist have shown a trend of decrease after age group 60–64 years in nuclear families and 65–69 years in extended families. The decrease has been found to be more in females of nuclear families than in females of extended families. At age group 60–64, the females of nuclear families have more upper arm and calf circumferences, but in the subsequent age groups, the females of extended families have more circumferences, but the difference are not statistically significant. Waist circumference is more females of extended families at all age levels with significant differences at age group 65–69 years only. Hip circumference has shown a trend of increase upto 65–69 years in both nuclear and extended families followed by a trend of decline in subsequent age groups. The total decrease in hip circumference is more in females from nuclear families (9.53 cm) than extended families (8.09 cm), howeverthe differences in the two groups are statistically non-significant. In both the groups of females, biceps, triceps and calf skinfolds have increased upto the age group 60–64. In most of the age groups, the skinfold values have been found to be larger in females of extended families, but the calf skinfold is greater in females from nuclear families in all the age groups. For all the skinfolds except suprailiac, the total loss is more in females from nuclear families. 25.75% females of nuclear and 36.75% females of extended families have waist circumference >88cm and are at substantially increased risk of metabolic complications. Females of extended families have high WHR at all age groups, with significant difference at age groups 65–69 and 80+ years age group. As perWHO classification, 40.72% females from extended families and 25.75% females of nuclear families have more than 0.85 Waist Hip Ratio which indicates higher prevalence of obesity in females of extended families. Circumferences and skinfolds of Elderly Jat Sikh females in Nuclear and Extended Families of Patiala District (Punjab).
Skinfolds, Jat Sikh Females, Nuclear and Extended Families, Patiala
