ABSTRACT
The present study was carried out to access the levels of malnutrition by altitude based on Body Mass Index (BMI) among School children (14–18 years) in Gujjar Community of Greater Kashmir Himalayas. The weight and height of sample children was measured and BMI was calculated from weight and height for all sample children for all altitudinal zones of Kashmir Himalayas. WHO Classification of 2007 was employed for classifying children in Grades of malnutrition on the basis of BMI.Study reveals that average weight, average height and average BMI were less than ICMR standards with good contrast among male and female children with a declining trend with altitude. The main findings depict mean height, weight, and BMI were 123.3 cm, 22.105 kg, and 15.96 kg/m2 for male and 119.6 cm, 21.270 kg, and 14.53 kg/m2 for female respectively. Near about 16.42% male and 16.96% female were having BMI <18.5 kg/m2 while as 10.63% of male and 11.55% of female were having severe to moderate malnutrition. The study shall be of great help for future health planning in this mountainous region.
