Parameter dynamics of the physical development in children and youth of Volgograd region (Russian Federation) using the percentile method

Abstract

The study objective was to analyze the parameters of physical development (body length and weight) in children and youth 7-17 yo – students of Volgograd region educational institutions over 2012-2016 using the percentile method. Material and methods — We examined 4,367 school students, of which 2,056 and 2,311 were boys and girl, correspondingly. The body lengths and weights were assessed by conventional methods. The results were processed using the programs Statistica 6.0 and MATLAB 7. Results — The values of the body length and weight centiles (3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90 and 97%) in 7-17 yo girls and boys were computed. It was established that the lowest body length indicators were currently typical for 7 yo boys. Starting at 13 yo, body length indicators in boys were ahead of those for girls. In 15-16 yo girls, growth stabilization was observed, while boys continued growing until the age of 17 yo. All percentile values of body weight in primary school age boys (except for 8 year-olds) were ahead or equivalent to those of girls. At the level of 75-97% in all age groups, the body mass values in boys were ahead of those in girls. At the age of 16-17 yo, all percentile values of body weight in boys were higher than in girls. Harmonious physical development was detected in 69.6% of boys and 61.7% of girls. Conclusion — Percentile analysis of body lengths and weights in children and youth of the Volgograd region facilitated the identification of gender-specific characteristics and assessment of harmonious physical development.