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Vol. 6 No. 2 (2026): Volume 6, Issue 2, Year 2026

Articles

Body Composition and its Determinants among Gond Adult Males Tribes of Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India

  • Chandan Kumar,
  • Ashok Kumar Yadav,
  • Ramendra Nath Kundu
Chandan Kumar
Department of Anthropology, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Ashok Kumar Yadav
Department of Anthropology, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Ramendra Nath Kundu
Department of Anthropology, Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2621

Published 15-08-2026

Keywords

  • Gond Tribe,
  • Body Composition,
  • Visceral Fat,
  • Anthropometry,
  • Lifestyle Factors

How to Cite

Kumar, C., Yadav, A. K., & Kundu, R. N. (2026). Body Composition and its Determinants among Gond Adult Males Tribes of Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 6(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2621

Copyright (c) 2026 Chandan Kumar, Ashok Kumar Yadav, Ramendra Nath Kundu

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Abstract

Introduction: Tribal populations in India are undergoing nutritional and lifestyle transitions that may influence body composition and increase the risk of obesity-related health problems. However, evidence on body composition and its determinants among the Gond tribe remains limited. The present study aimed to assess age-related trends in anthropometric and body composition variables among adult Gond tribal males and to examine the association of selected socio-demographic and lifestyle factors with body fat percentage and visceral fat percentage. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 144 adult Gond males (≥18 years) residing in selected tribal villages of the Rehli block, Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh, India, during April 2026. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle practices was collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured research schedule. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body fat percentage, subcutaneous fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, and skeletal muscle percentage, were obtained following standardized procedures. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation, and Chi-square tests were applied, with statistical significance considered at p < 0.05. Results: Significant age-related differences were observed in body weight, subcutaneous fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage, and WHR. Advancing age was associated with a progressive increase in visceral fat and a decline in skeletal muscle percentage. Lifestyle behaviors, particularly alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, and gutkha use, showed significant associations with visceral fat accumulation, whereas body fat percentage was not significantly associated with the selected socio-demographic or lifestyle variables. Conclusion: The findings indicate that ageing and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours substantially influence body composition among Gond adult males. Visceral fat emerged as a more sensitive indicator of obesity-related health risk than BMI alone. Periodic body composition assessment and culturally appropriate health promotion strategies focusing on healthy lifestyle practices may help reduce future metabolic health risks in this tribal population.

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