yam dancing, daily practicing time, nature and duration of daily activity, food habits, preliminary socio-economic condition and past incidence of major illness of self and parents were recorded in pre-designed schedule. Basic physical data like body height (cm) using Anthropometric rod with an accuracy of 0.1cm, body weight (kg) using a pre calibrated weighing scale with an accuracy of 0.1kg, with individuals in light clothing and without shoes, were measured and BMI was calculated. Waist circumference (WC), to the nearest of 0.5 cm, at the narrowest part of the iliac crest, and Hip circumference (HC), to the nearest of 0.5 cm, at the greatest circumference of the buttocks, with subjects in minimal inspiration were measured using a flexible measuring tape and waist hip ratio (WHR) was calculated. Body fat was estimated from skinfold measurement, using skin- fold calliper, obtained at three sites- tricep, subscapula and suprailiac. Obtained data were tabulated and used for further statistical analysis.
The dancing group individuals and control group individuals do not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in respect of age.
In Figure 1a the mean Body Weight of individuals of DG (42.1kg) and CG (52.2 kg) are presented and there is significant difference (P < 0.01) between DG and CG individuals in respect of Body Weight. In Figure 1b the BMI (AM ± SD) of both DG (22.0) and CG (17.9) individuals are presented and there is significant difference (P < 0.01) between DG and CG individuals in respect of BMI. The Absolute Body Fat data of DG and CG individuals are presented in Figure 1c in AM ± SD form and significant difference (P < 0.01) between DG (9.2 kg) and CG (14.2kg) individuals in respect of Absolute Body Fat in kg is observed.
The comparison between DG individuals and CG individuals is presented in respect of Waist Circumference (WC) in Figure 2a. It is observed that the WC is significantly (P < 0.01) lower in DG individuals (63.0cm) compared to their CG counterparts (70.5 cm).
In Figure 2b the Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) status is presented for DG and CG individuals; the calculated values are respectively 0.76 and 0.78. It is observed that for the WHR, the DG individuals have significantly lower value (P < 0.05) compared to their CG counterparts.
The mean body height of the DG individuals was 153.5 cm and that of CG was 154.4 cm. As per WHO guideline on height for age for girls, the height for 14year and 15 year old girls are about 156cm and 160 cm respectively . Body mass index (BMI, expressed in kg.m- 2), calculated as the ratio of subject’s body weight (in kg) to the squared stature (m), and is now considered as one of the most commonly used indicator of obesity . Children are defined as obese when BMI equals to or exceeds the age-gender-specific 95th percentile. Those with BMI equal to or exceeding the 85th but are below 95th percentiles are defined overweight and are at risk for obesity related co-morbidities . In present study, the mean BMI of DG individuals is 17.9 which is significantly lower (P < 0.01), compared to their CG counterparts with mean BMI of 22.0; the trend of result of the present study are in agreement with the findings of Wyon . The mean BMI of DG individuals is also found to be around the lower limit of the normal range of BMI values for girls aged between 5-19 years, in terms of WHO guideline; as per the latter, the BMI for 14 and 15 year old girls should be within 20 to 23.9. The favorable impact of Bharatnatyam dancing is again affirmed with assessment of the absolute body fat. The DG individuals have significantly lower (P < 0.01) absolute body fat, compared to their CG counterparts.
Waist Circumference (WC) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) are important indicators for defining central obesity and cardiovascular disease risk. The mean WC for DG children is 63.0 cm which is significantly lower (P < 0.01) compared to their CG counterparts having mean value of 70.5 cm. Present finding that DG individuals have lower value of WC is in agreement with the works of ; the mean WC of DG individuals are much lower th