Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 16, 2026

'Boden Food Plate': Novel Interactive Web-based Method for the Assessment of Dietary Intake
Published on: September 18, 2018
Impact of dietary nutrient intake and physical activity on body composition and growth in Indian children
Anuradha V Khadilkar1, Shashi A Chiplonkar1, Neha A Kajale1
1Growth and Endocrine Unit, Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute, Jehangir Hospital, Pune, India.
Insights
Adequate protein and antioxidant intake, along with increased moderate physical activity (PA), are crucial for optimal growth and body composition in Indian children. Reducing inactivity is also key.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Childhood Growth and Development
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Investigating the interplay between diet, physical activity (PA), and child development.
- Understanding growth and body composition (BC) in urban Indian school children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationships between dietary intake, PA levels, and BC in Indian children.
- To identify nutritional and activity factors influencing growth parameters.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 4,747 Indian children (ages 3-18).
- Data collection included weight, height, BC (bioimpedance), PA, and dietary intake via questionnaires.
- Statistical analysis using multiple regression.
Main Results:
- Lower energy, protein, and micronutrient intakes observed in older children.
- Height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) positively associated with mid-parental height and protein density.
- HAZ negatively associated with inactivity; body fat negatively correlated with light/moderate activity and antioxidants.
- Muscle mass positively correlated with moderate activity and negatively with inactivity.
Conclusions:
- Optimal growth and BC in Indian children depend on adequate protein and antioxidant intake.
- Reducing inactivity and promoting moderate PA are essential for healthy development.
- Dietary factors and physical activity significantly impact child growth and body composition.
Abstract:
BackgroundTo investigate interrelationships of dietary composition and physical activity (PA) with growth and body composition (BC) in urban Indian school children.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed in 4,747 Indian school children (2,623 boys) aged 3-18 years. Weight, height, BC by body impedance analyzer, PA and dietary food intakes by questionnaire method were recorded.ResultsMean daily energy and protein intakes as recommended dietary allowance were significantly lower in both boys and girls (P<0.01) above 6 years, with 55% reduction in micronutrient intakes in older children. When compared with World Health Organization references, lower heights in pubertal boys and girls were related to dietary energy and protein intake. Multiple regression analysis showed positive association of height for age z-scores (HAZ) with midparental height z-scores (β=0.45, P=0.0001) and protein density (β=0.103, P=0.014). HAZ was negatively associated with inactivity (β=-0.0001, P=0.049) in boys and girls (R2=0.104, P<0.01). Further, body fat percentage was negatively correlated with moderate or light activity and antioxidant intakes (P<0.01) but not with dietary fat intake. Percentage muscle mass was positively correlated with moderate activity and negatively with inactivity (P<0.05).ConclusionAdequacy of protein and antioxidant intakes, reducing inactivity and increasing moderate activity are essential for optimal growth and body composition in Indian children.
Related Concept Videos
Composite Bodies
Composite bodies have widespread applications in mechanical engineering, from automobiles to aircraft to rockets. For example, an automobile wheel comprises...
Composition of Body Fluids
Drug Control Governance: Regulatory Bodies and Their Impact
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Temperature
Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
Classifying Matter by Composition
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or...

