Research the Anthropometric Measures and Indexes of Kinh and Khmer Ethnic Pupils from 6 to 17 Years Old at the Mekong River Delta in 2019: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To describe and compare anthropometric indices (weight, standing height, body mass index - BMI) between Kinh and Khmer ethnic students aged 6 to 17 in the Mekong Delta in 2019.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3,242 students (1,983 Kinh students, including 1,051 females and 932 males; 1,259 Khmer students, including 717 females and 542 males) from grades 1 to 12 in secondary schools in 13 provinces of the Mekong Delta. Weight and standing height were measured using Martin anthropometric instruments according to standard procedures. Data were processed using SPSS 18.0 software, and independent t-tests were used to compare means between the two ethnic groups.
Results: Weight and standing height increased with age in both ethnic groups. Kinh students have higher average weight and height than Khmer students at the primary and lower secondary levels. At the upper secondary level, Khmer males are taller than Kinh males (12th grade: 169 cm vs. 165 cm). The BMI of the Kinh group is higher in the younger grades, then the difference narrows and is nearly equal in grades 11-12. There are statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in weight and BMI in most grades, and height is higher in many grades.
Conclusion: The study notes significant differences in anthropometric indicators between Kinh and Khmer students according to gender and age. The results provide distinct anthropometric reference data by ethnicity, contributing to the scientific basis for developing appropriate school nutrition and health care programs in the Mekong Delta region