Anthropometric Indices of School Children and Familiar Risk Factors

Abstract

Background. Overweight in adolescence predicts adverse health effects in adulthood. We carried out a primary school health program and assessed children's growth and body composition. Methods. Were screened 869 (448 M, 421 F) primary school children: height, weight, four skinfolds, and four circumferences were measured. A family-reported questionnaire was used to determine family composition, history, and lifestyle. Results. Age was 118 ± 5 months, BMI 18 ± 3 kg/m 2. No difference by gender was observed as for BMI or blood pressure. Girls had higher skinfold thickness at the biceps (BCF), triceps (TCF), subscapular (SSF), and suprailiac (SIF) areas ( P < 0.001), hip and thigh circumferences ( P < 0.01), body fat percentage ( P < 0.001). Boys had higher waist circumference ( P < 0.01), waist/thigh ratio, and conicity index ( P < 0.001). Offspring BMI was correlated with birth weight ( P < 0.05), parental BMI and scholarship level ( P < 0.001), children blood pressure ( P < 0.001), and hours per day spent in television viewing ( P < 0.01). Family history for diabetes was associated with higher BMI, SSF, waist circumference ( P < 0.05), and upper thigh ( P < 0.01). Family history for hypertension was associated with higher SSF/TCF ratio ( P < 0.05). Conclusions. Three of 869 children had BMI >30 kg/m 2 (2 boys and 1 girl), 33 had BMI >25 kg/m 2 (17 boys and 16 girls). The percentages of children who could be considered overweight (BMI ≥95 th percentile of age- and sex-specific NHANES I reference data) were boys, 10.0%, and girls, 9.3%. Anthropometric and anamnestic data on child and family yield more accurate estimates of risk profile: fat distribution seems relevant for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.