Evaluation of sex-specific differences of anthropometric parameters that were used as indicators of nutritional status in children

Abstract

Childhood overweight and obesity are major public health problems worldwide [1].Anthro- pometric parameters play a central role in identifying children that are overweight or obese, or at risk of becoming so [2]. The aim of our study was evaluation of sex-specific differences ofanthropometric parameters that were used as indicators of nutritional status in children. The study included 220 healthy children (110 boys, 110 girls) aged 7 from Macedonian nationali- ty. With standard methodology (IBP) were taken following body measurements (body weight, height, circumferences (mid-upper-arm and waist) and skin-folds thickness (triceps and sub scapular). According to standard formulas were calculated: weight-for-age (BW), height-for-age (BH), body mass index-for-age (BMI), mid-upper-arm-circumference-for-age (MUAC), waist cir- cumference-for-age (WC), and skin-folds thickness-for-age (triceps-SFTr and sub scapular-SFSc). The 7 year old boys have slightly higher mean values for (BH, BW, BMI, MUAC, WC) than girls, but sex-specific differences were not significant, except for the BW. On the other hand, skin-folds thickness (SFTr and SFSc) were significantly higher in girls. Values of the 50th per- centile in boys were as follows:26.5 kg for BW, 125.5cm for BH, 16.73 kg/m2 for BMI, 17.2 cm for MUAC, 57cm for WC, 5.2mm for SFSc and 8.2 mm for SFTr. The values of these parameters in girls were: 25 kg for BW, 124.5 cm for BH, 16.35 kg/m2 for BMI, 17.1 cm for MUAC, 55.8 cm for WC, 5.8 mm for SFSc and 9 mm for SFTr. These results can be used as criteria for the assess- ment and detection of deviations in the nutritional status in children age 7.