Grip strength as an index for assessment of nutritional status of children aged 6-10 years

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of grip strength as an index of nutritional status in 6-10 y old children. Seven hundred and eighty seven children (364 boys and 423 girls) in the age group of 6 to 10 y were selected from private and municipal schools, orphanages and slums in the cities of Mumbai and Pune, India. Grip strength was measured using the dominant hand. Height, weight, mid-arm circumference and triceps skinfold were also measured in all subjects. A significantly high correlation (p<0.01) was observed between grip strength and age for both sexes. Boys had a higher grip strength than girls at all ages. Grip strength was significantly correlated with height, weight, mid arm circumference, triceps skinfold, arm fat and arm muscle areas (p<0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed height, weight, triceps skinfold and age to be independent variables influencing grip strength. Grip strength was found to be a specific measure of lean body mass (75 to 94%), but sensitivity was quite low (about 25%). The positive predictive value was variable, ranging from 54.6 to 21.5%. The specificity, sensitivity and positive predictive values were very high when compared with arm muscle area. Grip strength may have a potential value as an additional test for nutritional assessment in field situations and clinical settings.