LEAN AND FAT BRACHIAL AREA (LBA-FBA) AND BODY SEGMENT RATIO (U/L) OF SCHOOL AGE CHILEAN CHILDREN OF BOTH SEXES, ACCORDING TO SOCIOECONOMIC LEVEL (SEL)

Abstract

The more prevalent nutritional problem of school-age Chilean children is excess weight, specially in females belonging to the low SEL. However, it cannot be ruled out that this overweight may be associated to specific nutritional deficits. Early postnatal undernutrition produces a permanent statural deficit, specially of the lower segment of the body with alteration of the U/L segment ratio. We were interested in gathering information about LBA and U/L segment ratio of school-age Chilean children. A representative sample of 6124 school children of both sexes of Greater Santiago, Chile was obtained. This geographical area includes about 45% of Chilean school-age children. SEL was classified according to a modified Graffar scale. Brachial circumference was measured with a non-elastic band and skinfolds with a Lange caliper. Stature was measured with a measuring board and U/L segment ratio was obtained by substracting the lenght of the upper segment measured on a specially made chair from stature. Differences were studied by variance analysis and Student's T test. Males from the low SEL had decreased LBA and FBA, remaining only the last difference at greater ages. Females from the low SEL had decreased LBA only at early ages, without differences in FBA compared with the nigh SEL. U/L segment ratio was greater in school-age children of the low SEL of both sexes compared with those of the high SEL, a difference that disappeared in older males. These results suggest that genetic and environmental factors influence growth and development of school age children of the low SEL.