Body mass index of the Kandeganvila veddas

Abstract

BMI was calculated from the heights and weights of 37 Veddas (18 males and 19 females) measured in 1971/73 when they were living at Kandeganvila, and of 247 veddas (109 males and 138 females) measured in 1993/94 at Hennanigala South of Mahaweli System 'C', ten years after their change of habitat. Significantly lower BMI's (p0.05) was observed in the preadolescent children, bth males and females, in 1993/94. In general in the adults too a trend towards lower BMI's judged by BMI, of the relocation of the Kandeganvila veddas has been detrimental.