Re: Malnutrition remains major threat to Indian women, even though mean BMI is rising
During a medical fitness screening 4 years ago, the BMI of newly admitted nursing students (aged 16-18) to a nursing school in South India were quite low (around 17). But apart from slightly lowish mean haemoglobin levels (10-11 grams %) their biochemistry results including albumin, total protein and calcium levels were all within normal limits. Clinically they appeared well and all were cleared to continue their studies and indeed went onto complete their studies. I feel BMI is a poor way to judge undernourishment of young girls (South India) due their small body frame, extrapolating from the above observation.
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Re: Malnutrition remains major threat to Indian women, even though mean BMI is rising
During a medical fitness screening 4 years ago, the BMI of newly admitted nursing students (aged 16-18) to a nursing school in South India were quite low (around 17). But apart from slightly lowish mean haemoglobin levels (10-11 grams %) their biochemistry results including albumin, total protein and calcium levels were all within normal limits. Clinically they appeared well and all were cleared to continue their studies and indeed went onto complete their studies. I feel BMI is a poor way to judge undernourishment of young girls (South India) due their small body frame, extrapolating from the above observation.
Competing interests: No competing interests