Perfil antropométrico e adiposidade abdominal de escolares entre 6 a 10 anos de idade do Sul do Brasil

Gabriela Dalsasso Ricardo,Cristine Garcia Gabriel,Arlete Catarina Tittoni Corso

doi:10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n6p636

Gabriela Dalsasso Ricardo, Cristine Garcia Gabriel + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2012v14n6p636

Copy DOI

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to assess the association of anthropometric measures with body mass index (BMI) and to verify the presence of abdominal adiposity in school children. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 4,964 school children between 6 and 10 years of age registered in 345 schools from eight municipalities of the state of Santa Catarina (Brazil). The independent variables used were the following: subscapular (SSF) and triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness, arm circumference (AC), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). BMI was used as the dependent variable. Unadjusted and adjusted associations were estimated using linear regression and expressed as a regression coefficient (β). All anthropometric measurements were controlled during adjusted analysis to remain within the p < 0.20 model. Abdominal adiposity was defined as WHtR ≥ 0.5. The mean BMI was 17.4 kg/m2 (SD = 2.8) in males and 17.2 kg/m2 (SD = 2.8) in females. The mean anthropometric measurements for males and females respectively were as follows: SSF = 7.2 and 8.3mm; TSF = 10.8 and 12.6mm; AC = 20.0 and 20.2cm; WC = 60.1 and 58.5cm; HC = 71.3 and 71.9cm; WHR = 0.84 and 0.81; WHtR = 0.45 and 0.44. All anthropometric measurements were positively associated with BMI in the unadjusted analysis of both sexes. In the adjusted analysis, associations among males were as follows: SSF (β = 0.05), AC (β = 0.17), WC (β = 0.19), and WHtR (β = 30.5). Associations among females were as follows: SSF (β = 0.19), AC (β = 0.17), WC (β = 0.13), WHR (β = -6.2), and WHtR (β = 32.1). The prevalence of abdominal adiposity was 11.9%. It was concluded that the anthropometric indicators SSF, AC, WC, and WHtR had a satisfactory relationship with BMI in school children of both sexes. These measurements could be used, in addition to BMI, to determine total and central adiposity.

Highlights

Children’s growth and body dimensions at all ages can reflect the health status of individuals and populations
The present study had the participation of 345 schools, 269 public and 76 private, and 4,964 school children between 6 and 10 years of age registered in the initial grades of elementary school (1st to 4th grade)
The anthropometric variables that did not remain associated with body mass index (BMI) for both sexes were triceps skinfold (TSF), hip circumference (HC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). These findings demonstrate the relationship between BMI and Subscapular skinfold thickness (SSF), arm circumference (AC), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) in this population

Summary

Introduction

Children’s growth and body dimensions at all ages can reflect the health status of individuals and populations. There is a variety of methods available to estimate body fat patterns[1], such as hydrodensitometry, 40K spectrometry, hydrometry, infrared method, electrical bioimpedance, nuclear magnetic resonance, and dualemission X-ray absorptiometry. They are not very appropriate for population studies, usually consisting of costly methods that are limited to specialized research centers. BMI has been used for the diagnosis of overweight and obesity in adults and children, reflecting the total body fat excess[2]. There has been an increasing concern with regard to fat pattern, since the type of fat distribution deposit is related with the prognosis of health risk[3]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion