A multivariate statistical approach to the assessment of nutrition status

Abstract

Attention is drawn to the confusion which surrounds the concept of nutrition status and the problem of selecting an optimum subset of variables by which nutrition status can best be assessed is defined. Using a multidisciplinary data set of some 60 variables observed on 1898 school children from four racial groups, the study aims to identify statistically, both those variables which are unrelated to nutrition status and also those which, although related, are so highly correlated that the measurement of all would be an unnecessary extravagance. It is found that, while the somatometric variables provide a reasonably good (but non-specific) estimate of nutrition status, the disciplines form meaningful groups and the variables of the various disciplines tend to supplement rather than replicate each other. Certain variables from most of the disciplines are, therefore, necessary for an optimum and specific estimate of nutrition status. Both the potential and the shortcomings of a number of statistical techniques are demonstrated.