FEASIBILITY OF BROKA INDEX FOR THE NUTRITIONAL-STATUS OF ADULTS

The utility and feasibility of Broka's index for assessing the nutriti onal status of adults was studied in comparison with the efficacy of w eight for height (%) and body mass index (BMI). The coefficients of co rrelation, sensitivity, specificity and efficiency and Kappa statistic for agreement were determined and tested for significance. The data p ertaining to urban adults of Hyderabad belonging to better socio-econo mic class were utilised. Eroka's index was well correlated with weight for height (%) (r=0.97) and BMI (r=0.99). Broka's index, BMI and weig ht for height (%) were least correlated with stature indicating that t hese indices were of use for classifications of nutritional status irr espective 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 eff iciency were in the range of 90-100 per cent. The Kappa statistic of a greement 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 bette r socioeconomic group as compared to the poor ones. Broka's index whic h is simple and easy to calculate is useful for the assessment of the grades of body built and nutritional status in adults.