Secular changes in the waist, hips circumferences and selected associated indicators, among preschool children from Kraków (Poland), between 1983 and 2018

OBJECTIVES

Waist circumference and derived indicators are great for measuring the risk of abdominal obesity. The main aim of the study was to assess the changes in the waist, hips circumferences and selected associated indicators, among preschool children (3-7 years of age) from Kraków, Poland, between 1983, 2008 and 2018.

METHODS

The research was conducted in randomly selected kindergarten in Krakow (Poland). The 1983 cohort consisted of 1414 children and the 2008 and 2018 series included 1050 preschoolers each. Analyzed characteristics included waist and hip circumferences, body height, waist-to-hips ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).

RESULTS

There was a negative secular trend regarding circumferences of the hips and waist, as well as WHtR. In girls, WHR was, the greatest in the 2018 cohort, while among boys there was a secular increase in the value of this parameter compared to the 2008 cohort, but not to the 1983 series.

CONCLUSIONS

The coexistence of currently noted trends with the previously described secular decrease in the prevalence of overweight/obesity and increase in trunk adiposity in the same population, suggests that WHR is preferable to body mass index in assessing the risk associated with excess adiposity in the population examined in the presented study.

Physical growth of children and adolescents living at a moderate altitude: proposed percentiles based on age and sex

INTRODUCTION

physical growth patterns and nutritional status of children and adolescents living at moderate altitude are not applicable for clinical assessment of growth for diverse populations around the world.

OBJECTIVE

a) to compare weight, height and body mass index (BMI) variables with CDC-2012 references; b) to verify if BMI and/or ponderal index (PI) are applicable to children living at moderate altitude; and c) to propose percentiles to assess physical growth by age and sex.

METHODS

a total of 5,377 students, ranging in age from 6.0 to 17.9 years, were evaluated. The students were from two geographic regions of moderate altitude in Peru (2,320 meters) and Colombia (2,640 meters). Weight and height were measured. BMI and PI were calculated. Weight, height and BMI were compared with CDC-2012 references.

RESULTS

males showed lower weight and height from age 11 to 17.9 years compared to CDC-2012. Females weighed less than the reference from 9.0 to 17.9 years. Female height was lower from 6.0 to 14.9 years; however, from 15.0 to 17.9 years, values were similar to the reference. As for BMI, there were differences in both sexes (in males, from 15.0 to 17.9 years, and in females, from 12.0 to 17.9 years). Age, weight and height explained BMI: between R2 = 17 and 83 % in males, and in females between R2 = 24 and 85 %. These same variables influenced PI in a lower percentage in both sexes: for males (R2 = 0.01 to 49 %) and for females (R2 = 0.01 to 18 %).

CONCLUSIONS

children and adolescents living at moderate altitude in Peru and Colombia diverge from the CDC-2012 physical growth patterns. In addition, PI is a new alternative for estimating weight in relation to BMI. The proposed curves for weight, height, and PI by age and sex could have greater implications in the control of child health programs and in clinical and epidemiological practices.

Changes in adiposity and fat tissue distribution among preschool children from Kraków, Poland, from 2008 to 2018

In the light of changes in the living conditions of populations, excess adiposity is currently a serious public health problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the body fat ratio among preschool children aged 3–7 years from Kraków, Poland, between 2008 and 2018. The study group consisted of children examined in two cross-sectional studies. Analysed characteristics included triceps, calf, subscapular, abdominal and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses, and adiposity calculated according to Slaughter’s equations. The trunk adiposity index and limbs-to-trunk fat ratio were also calculated. Statistical significance was obtained using two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests. Lower-limb adiposity was largest in the 2008 cohort and trunk adiposity was greater in the 2018 cohort. The mean values of the trunk adiposity index and limbs-to-trunk fat ratio were lower in the 2018 cohort than in the 2008 cohort. The 2018 cohort was also characterized by a lower overall adiposity. Regardless of the lower body adiposity percentage, in 2018 there was a tendency towards the central allocation of fat tissue. This is a negative phenomenon because, especially when co-existing with reduced lower-limb adiposity, it is associated with an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, even in young children.

Ultrasound reference values for the calcaneus of children and adolescents at moderate altitudes in Peru

OBJECTIVE

a) Establish reference values for bone parameters by using the speed of sound (SOS, m/s) of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA, dB/MHz) and establish a bone quality index (BQI=αSOS+βBUA) for children and adolescents living in a region of moderate altitude, b) compare bone parameters with an international standard (with different ethnic, socio-economic, and lifestyle backgrounds) by using ultrasound of the calcaneus (heel bone) (QUS).

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with children and adolescents between the ages of 6.0 and 16.9 years old. The sample was selected randomly. A total of 1322 subjects were studied. Weight, height, and bone parameters, using ultrasound of the calcaneus, were evaluated SOS, BUA, and BQI. Body Mass Index BMI was calculated.

RESULTS

The average age of males was 11.44±0.35 years old, and for females, it was 11.43±0.35 years old. The students in this research showed slightly higher values of SOS, BUA, and BQI for both sexes when compared with the international reference (the 50th percentile). Percentiles were generated (P3, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, and P97) using the LMS method [median (M), standard deviation (S), and power of the Box-Cox transformation (L)] by age and sex.

CONCLUSION

The students living at a moderate altitude showed slightly higher values in bone parameters in relation to the international reference. This pattern depicted a population with a better state of bone health. The proposed percentiles may be used to categorize adequate to at risk bone parameters based on age and sex.

Physical growth and body adiposity patterns in children and adolescents at high altitudes in Peru: Proposed percentiles for assessment

OBJECTIVES

This study's purpose was to compare physical growth (PG) patterns of children and adolescents living at high elevations with those of other geographic regions, relate body adiposity indicators, and develop percentile reference tables for assessing physical growth and body adiposity.

METHODS

The sample included 1536 children and adolescents ages 5.0 to 17.9 years from Puno (Peru) located between 3821 and 4349 m above sea level. Weight, height, arm and waist circumferences (WC), and three skinfolds measurements were recorded. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-height Index (WHI) were calculated.

RESULTS

PG patterns for children living at a high altitude reflected similar values for weight, height, and arm circumference (AC) to those of their counterparts living in Puno (Peru) and La Paz (Bolivia). When compared with children living at moderate altitudes in Peru, they showed slightly lower PG values. BMI explained between 41% and 64% of the variance in sum of the skinfolds, while WC explained between 47% and 66%. HWI was not a strong predictor of variation in sum of skinfolds. Percentiles were generated for WC and the sum of skinfolds.

CONCLUSION

Weight, height, and, arm and waist circumference patterns for children and adolescents living at high altitudes were similar to those of La Paz (Bolivia). WC and the sum of the skinfolds were better indicators for analyzing abdominal obesity compared to BMI and WHI. The percentiles proposed may be a useful tool for identifying high risk of developing overweight disorders in pediatric populations living at high altitudes.