Study of Anthropometric Measurements (Weight and Height) Amongst Early Adolescent Boys in Rural and Urban Areas of Srinagar District of Jammu & Kashmir

Abstract

Anthropometry has played a determining role in sports counseling, talent selection, talent identification and guidance for nutritional intake in determining parameters for health related physical fitness.The developmental stages comprises of infancy, childhood, puberty, adolescence and adulthood. There are four characteristics stages of growth from birth to adult: Rapid growth in infancy and early childhood, slow steady growth in middle childhood, rapid growth during puberty, gradual slowing down of growth in adolescence until adult height is reached. Physical fitness helps in developing a positive attitude towards body and helps the child to remain concerned and highly motivated to maintain or improve his individual fitness. For identification of places which would qualify to be classified as 'urban' all villages, which, as per the 2001 Census had a population of 4,000 and above, a population density of 400 persons per sq. km. and having at least 75 per cent of male working population engaged in non-agricultural activity were considered. An area is considered 'Rural' if it is not classified as 'Urban’ as per the above definition. The Researcher has undertaken a comprehensive survey comparing the anthropometric measurements and physical fitness levels amongst the Early Adolescent age, 50 students each from rural and urban areas of Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir. The data was analyzed using independent Factorial ANOVA test. In the early adolescent age group the rural adolescent age group seems to have significant advantage in the anthropometric measurements and physical fitness over the urban adolescent age group. In Srinagar District, the Early Adolescent age boys show significant difference in the Gross Body Measurements variables, viz. Weight and Height between Rural and Urban areas