Feasibility of Broka's index for the nutritional status of adults

The utility and feasibility of Broka's index for assessing the nutritional status of adults was studied in comparison with the efficacy of weight for height (%) and body mass index (BMI). The coefficients of correlation, sensitivity, specificity and efficiency and Kappa statistic for agreement were determined and tested for significance. The data pertaining to urban adults of Hyderabad belonging to better socio-economic class were utilised. Broka's index was well correlated with weight for height (%) (r = 0.97) and BMI (r = 0.99). Broka's index, BMI and weight for height (%) were least correlated with stature indicating that these indices were of use for classifications of nutritional status irrespective of variations in stature. There was a good agreement between classifications of nutritional status based on Broka's index, weight for height (%) and BMI. The values of sensitivity, specificity and efficiency were in the range of 90-100 per cent. The Kappa statistic of agreement between Broka's index, BMI and weight for height (%) for all forms of nutritional status was 0.839 (P < 0.0001). The mean values of Broka's index, BMI and weight for height (%) were higher in the better socio-economic group as compared to the poor ones. Broka's index which is simple and easy to calculate is useful for the assessment of the grades of body built and nutritional status in adults.