Biceps Skinfold Research Articles

AB0201 Assessment of protein-energy nutritional status and physical activity of ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatic arthritis patients - preliminary report.

BackgroundActive rheumatic diseases can lead to malnutrition. However, the influence of the remission on the nutritional status is not clear.ObjectivesTo assess nutritional status and physical activity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS)...

A comparison between male judo-kas and karate-kaswithin body composition and physical fitness

The purpose of the study was to compare the body composition and physical fitness between male judo-kas and karate-kas. The subjects were selected from the male Judokas and Karatekas of different colleges and training centers, who had participated last 2 years at Punjab state level competitions for this study. Ten (10) male Judokas and Karatekas from three different weight categories namely light weight, middle weight and heavy weight were selected as the subject for the study. Selected body composition such as Standing Height, Weight, HumerusBiepicondylar, Wrist Diameter, Femur Biepicondylar, Ankle Diameter, Upper arm Circumference, Forearm Circumference, Thigh Circumference, Calf Circumference, Bicep Skinfold, Forearm Skinfold, Suprailiac Skinfold, Subscapular Skinfold, Thigh Skinfold, Calf Skinfold and Physical fitness variables such as 50 meter Dash, Shuttle Run, Shot Put, 600 yards Run or Walk and Bend and Reach Test were presented to compare the male Judokas and Karatekas from three different weight categories namely light weight, middle weight and heavy weight. To see the significant difference of selected body composition and physical fitness variables among the male Judokas and Karatekas from three different weight categories namely light weight, middle weight and heavy weight, the analysis of “mean, standard deviation and t test” was applied at .05 level of significance. The judokas are found to be taller and having greater diameters and circumferences and leaner in all skinfolds except suprailiac skinfold. The karatekas found to be heavier and having greater upper arm and forearm circumferences and leaner in suprailiac skinfold than judokas. However, the Judokas have greater bone mass, muscle mass and less fat percentage than Karatekas. Further Judokas have more speed, coordinative ability and endurance than Karatekas.

1399P - Malnutrition as a Determinant of Outcome of Pediatric Cancer Patients

ABSTRACT Childhood cancer is curable. Malnutrition poses a major problem amongst Indian children with around 40% of them suffering from undernourishment and starvation. It is one of the causes of poor outcome and toxicity of cancer patients. This study will help to highlight the close knitted relationship between the nutritional status and its influence on complete remission, disease free survival (DFS) and chemotherapeutic toxicity. In the present study, 500 cancer affected children were analyzed, who were being treated during a period from Jan, 2007 to Dec, 2011. The age range was 1-18 years (mean 12.5 years). There was male preponderance. Distribution of cases: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia 42%, Acute myeloid leukemia 8%, Non Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's leukemia 14%, Rhabdomyosarcoma and other cancer tumors 12%, Germ cell tumor 8%, Brain tumor 4% and other 12%. During preliminary diagnosis of these patients prior to beginning of therapy, an initial anthropometry was done in all the cases that included measurements of Weight for age (WFA), Height for age (HFA), Mid arm circumference (MAC) and Biceps Skin Fold Thickness (BSFT). The values of these variables were compared with the ICMR recommended standards provided by percentile curve of the growth chart for that age and sex. BSFT lies between 3.8cm and 6.5cm but during malnutrition it falls below 3.8cm. We pursued initial diagnosis based on biochemical parameters, chiefly, serum total protein and serum albumin levels. The albumin level was considered normal if the value was equal to or more than 3g%. It was seen that 190 (38%) children were malnourished on diagnosis. The patients with malnutrition had poor outcome (45%) as compared to well-nourished children (80%). Malnourished children also showed significantly higher toxicity level (p Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

1091P - Impact of Nutrition on Treatment Outcome in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia of Childhood in Developing Country

ABSTRACT Background All conventional modalities of anti-cancer therapy interfere with normal nutrition. Therefore, malnutrition is a major problem in children with cancer. In this study we retrospectively analyzed 500 children suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), who were being intensively treated by National Cancer Institute protocol (MCP 841) during period beginning from August, 1999 to December, 2011, in a tertiary cancer institute. Our aim was to determine the nutritional status at preliminary diagnosis of ALL children and to study the influence of nutrition on complete remission, disease free survival (DFS) and chemotherapeutic toxicity. Procedure The variables studied were height for age (HFA), weight for age (WFA), mid-arm circumference (MAC), biceps skinfold thickness (BSFT) and serum albumin levels. The HFA, WFA, MAC and BSFT were taken as normal if they were between 3rd and 97th percentile curve of the growth chart as recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The albumin level was considered normal if the value was equal to or more than 3g%. Results It was observed that 16.8% children were low weight for age and 10.4% were low height for age during diagnosis. Low WFA (p value 0.001), low HFA (p value 0.0001) and low albumin (p-value 0.0001) were significant in DFS. Conclusion We conclude that malnutrition has high impact on ALL prognoses in developing countries. Major nutritional indicators are HFA, WFA, MAC, BSFT and serum albumin. Patients with malnutrition have less DFS duration, more chances for relapse and more therapeutic toxicity when compared to well-nourished children. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

A statistical analysis on skinfold thickness and measurement of body composition for Chinese adults

The purpose of this study was to evaluate developmental mechanism and characteristics of skinfold thickness and body composition among Chinese adults of Han nationality. Sampling measurement method was applied to acquire the indexes of height, weight, cheek skinfold thickness, triceps skinfold thickness, biceps skinfold thickness, subscapular angle skinfold thickness, anterior superior iliac spine skinfold thickness and gastrocnemius skinfold thickness in the area of Lanzhou, Pingliang, Wuweiin Gansu Province among Chinese adults of Han nationality. The body composition is estimated by standard statistical BMI value in accordance with Guideline for Overweight and Obesity Prevention and Control in Chinese adults (Trial), and Japanese Changling formula and the Brozek formula. This study analyzed skinfold thickness and measurement of body composition of Chinese adults of Han nationality. The findings suggested that adults should pay attention to adjusting their structure diet, and do more physical activities to reduce the incidence of obesity-related diseases in Lanzhou, Pingliang and Wuwei. Key words: Han nationality, skinfold thickness, body composition.

Lifestyle Triple P: a parenting intervention for childhood obesity

BackgroundReversing the obesity epidemic requires the development and evaluation of childhood obesity intervention programs. Lifestyle Triple P is a parent-focused group program that addresses three topics: nutrition, physical activity, and positive parenting. Australian research has established the efficacy of Lifestyle Triple P, which aims to prevent excessive weight gain in overweight and obese children. The aim of the current randomized controlled trial is to assess the effectiveness of the Lifestyle Triple P intervention when applied to Dutch parents of overweight and obese children aged 4–8 years. This effectiveness study is called GO4fit.Methods/DesignParents of overweight and obese children are being randomized to either the intervention or the control group. Those assigned to the intervention condition receive the 14-week Lifestyle Triple P intervention, in which they learn a range of nutritional, physical activity and positive parenting strategies. Parents in the control group receive two brochures, web-based tailored advice, and suggestions for exercises to increase active playing at home. Measurements are taken at baseline, directly after the intervention, and at one year follow-up. Primary outcome measure is the children’s body composition, operationalized as BMI z-score, waist circumference, and fat mass (biceps and triceps skinfolds). Secondary outcome measures are children’s dietary behavior and physical activity level, parenting practices, parental feeding style, parenting style, parental self-efficacy, and body composition of family members (parents and siblings).DiscussionOur intervention is characterized by a focus on changing general parenting styles, in addition to focusing on changing specific parenting practices, as obesity interventions typically do. Strengths of the current study are the randomized design, the long-term follow-up, and the broad range of both self-reported and objectively measured outcomes.Trial RegistrationCurrent Controlled Trials NTR 2555MEC AzM/UMNL 31988.068.10 / MEC 10-3-052

Comment on: Rowan et al. Metformin in Gestational Diabetes: The Offspring Follow-Up (MiG TOFU): Body Composition at 2 Years of Age. Diabetes Care 2011;34:2279–2284

The recent article by Rowan et al. (1) reports decreased biceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses in the 2-year-old offspring of women randomized to receive metformin rather than insulin treatment for their gestational diabetes. Body fat percentage, measured by bioimpedance and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, was similar in the two groups, suggesting that metformin treatment is associated with a more metabolically favorable distribution of body fat in the offspring, while not changing …

Are ICSI adolescents at risk for increased adiposity?

Puberty is a critical period for the development of cardio-metabolic disturbances, including a more central body fat distribution. It is still unclear if IVF and more specifically ICSI, can permanently and detrimentally affect body fat accumulation in the human offspring. Therefore, adiposity and body fat distribution in 14-year-old adolescents born after ICSI were investigated. Body composition data, including anthropometry (weight, height and BMI), skinfold thicknesses (peripheral: triceps and biceps skinfolds; central: supra-iliacal and subscapular skinfolds; total: sum of the four skinfolds) and circumferences (waist, mid-upper arm) were compared between 217 ICSI singletons (116 boys, 101 girls) and 223 singletons (115 boys, 108 girls) born after spontaneous conception (SC). ICSI teenagers were part of a previously published ICSI cohort followed since birth; SC controls were recruited from schools in the surroundings. Among all boys, no differences in body composition measurements were found between the ICSI and SC group, taking into account confounding variables. In boys with more advanced pubertal stages, a significantly higher sum of peripheral skinfolds was found in the ICSI group compared with the SC group (difference 3.5 mm, 95% confidence interval 0.3-6.6). In girls, peripheral adiposity assessed by skinfolds and mid-upper arm circumference, and central adiposity assessed by skinfolds and waist circumference as well as total adiposity assessed by BMI, the sum of four skinfold thicknesses and skinfold-derived body fat percentage were significantly higher in the ICSI group compared with the SC group, taking into account confounding variables (all P< 0.05). Neither parental nor early life factors could explain the differences. We found that pubertal ICSI girls were more prone to central, peripheral and total adiposity compared with their SC counterparts. ICSI adolescents with advanced pubertal stages showed more peripheral adiposity. Continued monitoring of body fat patterns in adolescents born after fertility treatment is mandatory in order to assess their risk for developing obesity and its related adverse health effects in adulthood.

Correlation Between Nutrition Assessment Data and Percent Body Fat via Plethysmography in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Routine nutrition assessment is a core part of the nutrition management of the pediatric oncology population. The aims of this study were to build on the findings of a previous study to investigate the relationship between nutrition assessment variables and percent body fat (%BF) and to produce an equation to predict %BF in the pediatric oncology population. The nutrition status assessment criteria for comparison with %BF measures were adapted with permission from the St Jude Children's Research Hospital nutrition screening system, Department of Clinical Nutrition. Additional measures not part of the screening system included midarm circumference (MAC); triceps, biceps, suprailiac, and subscapular skinfolds; and arm fat area. %BF was determined via air displacement plethysmography and interpreted via percentiles derived from body fat reference curves for healthy children. Forty-two children, 22 males and 20 females, participated in the study. Correlational analysis revealed significant correlations with %BF and weight and body mass index z scores, percentage of ideal body weight (%IBW), MAC, skinfolds, arm fat area, and the total nutrition screening score. No relationship was found between height z score, percentage of weight loss over the previous 1 month, serum albumin, diagnosis risk, oral intake, and impending therapy or treatment side effects. Regression analysis found %BF = (1.4 × Biceps Skinfolds (mm) + (0.16 × %IBW) - 1 to have the strongest correlation (r(2) = 0.74). The equation presented here requires validation to estimate %BF in the pediatric oncology population.

Metformin in Gestational Diabetes: The Offspring Follow-Up (MiG TOFU)

OBJECTIVEIn women with gestational diabetes mellitus, who were randomized to metformin or insulin treatment, pregnancy outcomes were similar (Metformin in Gestational diabetes [MiG] trial). Metformin crosses the placenta, so it is important to assess potential effects on growth of the children.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSIn Auckland, New Zealand, and Adelaide, Australia, women who had participated in the MiG trial were reviewed when their children were 2 years old. Body composition was measured in 154 and 164 children whose mothers had been randomized to metformin and insulin, respectively. Children were assessed with anthropometry, bioimpedance, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), using standard methods.RESULTSThe children were similar for baseline maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes. In the metformin group, compared with the insulin group, children had larger mid-upper arm circumferences (17.2 ± 1.5 vs. 16.7 ± 1.5 cm; P = 0.002) and subscapular (6.3 ± 1.9 vs. 6.0 ± 1.7 mm; P = 0.02) and biceps skinfolds (6.03 ± 1.9 vs. 5.6 ± 1.7 mm; P = 0.04). Total fat mass and percentage body fat assessed by bioimpedance (n = 221) and DEXA (n = 114) were not different.CONCLUSIONSChildren exposed to metformin had larger measures of subcutaneous fat, but overall body fat was the same as in children whose mothers were treated with insulin alone. Further follow-up is required to examine whether these findings persist into later life and whether children exposed to metformin will develop less visceral fat and be more insulin sensitive. If so, this would have significant implications for the current pandemic of diabetes.

Assessment of Nutritional Status and Disease Prevalence among Elderly Population in Elderly Homes in Kandy

<strong><em></em></strong>A study was conducted to assess the nutritional status and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases among elderly people in elderly homes in Kandy. A population of 105 elderly people (&gt;65 years), representing 7 elderly homes in Kandy was examined using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool and an additional questionnaire. Skinfold thickness was measured using the Harpenden caliper and body fat was measured using a digital Fat Analyzer. According to the MNA tool 59.1% were at risk of being malnourished, 3.8% weres malnourished and 37.1% were normal. Based on BMI classification, 16.2% was under-weight, 55.2% was normal and 28.6% was over-weight. According to waist-to-hip ratio, 51.4% had a lower risk, 32.4% a moderate risk and 16.2% a higher risk for health problems while 41.9% of the population had hypertension, 13.3% had diabetes and 19.0% had airway obstructive disorders. Furthermore, 31.4% of the population was less active and 67.6% was moderately active. The daily mean energy intake (1945.6 kcal) of subjects was higher than the calculated energy requirement (1490.1 kcal). Among the variables studied BMI had a strong positive correlation with body fat mass (r=0.901, p&lt;0.0001) and skin fold thickness (biceps r=0.594, p=0.000; triceps r=0.538, p&lt;0.0001). Waist circumference also had a positive correlation with skinfold thickness (biceps, r=0.521, p&lt;0.0001; triceps, r=0.337, p&lt;0.01) and fat mass(r=0.645, p&lt;0.0001). Waist-to-hip ratio showed a positive correlation (r=0.322, p &lt;0.05) with biceps skinfold thickness. With waist-to- hip ratio &gt;0.95, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases was clearly high. Further studies are needed using data from other regions in the country to verify the above findings. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v21i3.3296 TAR 2010; 21(3): 229-237

UAE population reference standard charts for body mass index and skinfold thickness, at ages 0–18 years

Aims To determine a range of anthropometric measurements including skinfold thickness measurements in four different areas of the body, to construct population growth charts for body mass index (BMI), skinfolds, and to compare these with growth charts from other countries. One aim was also to validate body fat charts derived from skinfold thickness.Methods A national cross-sectional growth survey of children, 0–18 years old, was conducted using multistage stratified random sampling. The sample size included at least 200 children in each age–sex group. Height, weight, biceps skinfold, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold, suprailiac skinfold, and mid-upper-arm circumference were measured in each child. We describe correlation, standard deviation scores relative to the other standards, and calculation of body density in the United Arab Emirates population. We determined whether any of the above is a good indicator of fatness in children.Results BMI, upper-arm circumference, sum of four skinfolds, and percentage body fat charts were constructed using the LMS method of smoothing. BMI was very significantly correlated with sum of skinfold thicknesses, and mid-upper-arm circumference. Prevalence of obesity and overweight in ages 13–17 years was respectively 9.94% and 15.16% in females and 6.08% and 14.16% in males. Derived body fat charts were found not to be accurateConclusion A national BMI, upper-arm circumference, and sum of four skinfolds chart has been constructed that can be used as a reference standard for the United Arab Emirates. Sum of four skinfold thickness charts can be used as crude determinants of adiposity in children, but derived body fat charts were shown to be inaccurate.

Anthropometric characteristics and predictors of adiposity among preschool children in a multiethnic population

In this study we evaluated the anthropometric characteristics, as well as, anthropometric predictors of adiposity among preschool children 3–5 years old. Five hundred and ninety‐six preschool children had anthropometry using standard procedures. Percentage body fat was estimated using a foot‐to‐foot bioelectric impedance analyser. Our results indicate that 31.2 % of participants were of African descent, 43.6 % were of East Indian descent and 24% were of Mixed (African‐East Indian) descent. Participants of African descent were significantly taller, heavier, had higher abdominal fat and mid‐upper arm circumference than those of East Indian and Mixed descent. Weight and BMI each explained over 75% of the variance in adiposity among females, while in males weight accounted for only 24% of the variance, while BMI explained 31%. In males, waist circumference, triceps skinfold and biceps skinfold each predicted less than 40% of the variance in adiposity, while in females, it explained over 55% (83.2%, 67.4% and 56% respectively). Our results suggest that there are ethnic differences in anthropometry in this population. They also suggest that weight, BMI and waist circumference are each excellent predictors of adiposity in female preschoolers in this population, while triceps was the best predictor of adiposity in the males.

Fetal Thyroid Hormone Level at Birth Is Associated with Fetal Growth

Thyroid function is known to play an important role in fetal neurological development, but its role in regulating fetal growth is not well established. Overt maternal and fetal thyroid disorders are associated with reduced birth weight. We hypothesized that, even in the absence of overt thyroid dysfunction, maternal and fetal thyroid function influence fetal growth. In normal, healthy pregnancies, we aimed to assess whether fetal thyroid hormone at birth (as measured in cord blood) is associated with fetal growth. We also aimed to study whether fetal thyroid hormone at birth is associated with maternal thyroid hormone in the third trimester. In 616 healthy mother-child pairs, TSH, free T(4) (FT4), and free T(3) (FT3) were measured in mothers at 28 wk gestation and in umbilical cord blood at birth. Birth weight, length, head circumference, and tricep and bicep skinfold thicknesses were measured on the babies. Cord FT4 was associated with birth weight (r = 0.25; P < 0.001), length (r = 0.17; P < 0.001), and sum of skinfolds (r = 0.19; P < 0.001). There were no associations between birth measurements and either cord TSH or cord FT3. Maternal FT4 and cord FT4 were correlated (r = 0.14; P = 0.0004), and there were weaker negative associations between maternal TSH and cord FT4 (r = -0.08; P = 0.04) and FT3 (r = -0.10; P = 0.01). Associations between cord FT4 and birth size suggest that fetal thyroid function may be important in regulating fetal growth, both of skeletal size and fat. The correlation between third-trimester maternal FT4 and cord FT4 supports the belief that maternal T(4) crosses the placenta even in late gestation.

Prohepcidin and iron metabolism parameters in the obese elderly patients with anemia.

To examine the impact of a body fat content on the concentration of a serum prohepcidin, iron metabolism parameters and inflammation markers in elderly patients with microcytic or normocytic anemia. Clinical study with biochemical and anthropometric measurements. Fifty two elderly patients (19 male, 33 female) with anemia, 65-91 years of age. Prohepcidin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, erythropoietin and interleukin-6 were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Iron, TIBC, transferrin, C-reactive protein and complete blood count were assayed using standard laboratory methods. Body fat content, fat distribution and protein nutrition state parameters were assessed by means of anthropometry. Mean serum prohepcidin levels were significantly higher in patients with high body fat content in comparison to patients with normal body fat content (224,85 vs 176,6 ng/ml). Prohepcidin levels of the elderly patients with anemia were positively correlated with biceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thickness or body fat mass percentage. In our study serum prohepcidin levels do not correlate with any iron parameters or inflammation markers. Summing up, the results of this study indicate that increased prohepcidin concentration, observed in obese elderly patients with anemia, may play an important role in iron deficiency development.

Biological Risk Indicators for Non-specific Low Back Pain in Young Adults of Amritsar, Punjab, India

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and correlate the various biological risk indicators of non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) in young adults. The study was based on a total of 100 purposively selected young adults (50 males and 50 females) aged 18 - 25 years with non-specific low back pain and 100 matched controls (50 males and 50 females) asymptomatic with no history of low back pain taken from Amritsar, Punjab, India. To solve the purpose, some anthropometric measurements, viz. height, weight, BMI, four skinfold measurements, (i.e. biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac), back strength, flexibility measure and abdominal muscle endurance were taken on each subject. Results indicated statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in abdominal muscle endurance (t= 2.58) between NSLBP boys and controls and in weight (t=3.22), biceps skinfold (t=3.04), height (t=2.67), triceps skinfold (t=2.83), subscapular skinfold (t=2.32) and in percent lean body mass (t= 2.80) between NSLBP girls and controls. Both in boys and girls with non-specific low back pain, back strength has positively significant correlations (p<0.05) with height (r=0.487 and 0.360 respectively), weight (r=0.495 and 0.213 respectively), BMI (r=0.299 and 0.461 respectively) and flexibility measure (r=0.386 and 0.388 respectively) and negatively significant correlation (r=- 0.417 only in NSLBP girls) with percent body fat.

Comparison of nutritional status in hemodialysis patients with and without failed renal allografts

The survival of patients returning to hemodialysis (HD) following kidney transplant failure is unfavorable. However, the factors responsible for this poor outcome are largely unknown; chronic inflammation due to failed allograft and malnutrition may contribute to morbidity and mortality. We aimed to compare the nutritional status and its relation with inflammation in patients on HD with and without previous kidney transplantation. Forty-three patients with failed renal allografts (27 males; mean age 36±9 yr) and 40 never transplanted HD patients (24 males; mean age 39±9 yr) were included in the study. Body weight, triceps (TSF), biceps (BSF), subscapular (SSSF), and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses (SISF); mid-arm, mid-arm muscle, hip and waist circumferences; as well as body mass indices (BMIs) were determined as anthropometric parameters. Moreover, biochemical markers of nutritional status, including serum cholesterol and albumin as well as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), as a marker of inflammation, were measured. Associations among these variables were analyzed. There were no significant differences considering age, gender or duration of renal replacement therapy between the two groups. The TSF (p<0.0001), BSF (p=0.005), SSSF (p=0.001), SISF (p<0.0001) skinfold thicknesses; mid-arm (p=0.003) and mid-arm muscle circumferences (p=0.037) and BMIs (p=0.001) of the patients with failed renal allografts were significantly lower than those of the never transplanted HD patients. Waist circumference was significantly lower as well (p=0.028). Patients with failed transplants were characterized by lower serum albumin (p<0.0001) and higher hs-CRP levels (p=0.001) as compared with never transplanted HD patients. This study confirms the concept that retained failed allografts may induce chronic inflammation in chronic HD patients which may result in a worse nutritional status.

Biceps Skinfold and Physical Activity Level Improve Prediction of Body Composition in Healthy Pre-menarcheal Girls

Biceps Skinfold and Physical Activity Level Improve Prediction of Body Composition in Healthy Pre-menarcheal Girls

Development of Screening Tool Identifying Korean Adolescent females at Fe Deficiency Anemic Status.

To develop a simple screening tool for identifying Korean adolescent females at risk of Fe deficiency anemic status. Dietary intake, dietary behavior food habit, anthropometric data and biochemical data were obtained from the subjects.The field survey was carried out with 94 anemic female students(middle school: 90, high school: 104) and 253 normal female students(middle school: 159, high school: 94). The parameter used to evaluate the students as anemic was hemoglobin(Hb&lt;11.5g/dl). Significant factors related to anemia were investigated and selected to make screening tool with can be used to screen out the subjects with the risk of anemia. Screening tools including dietary and non‐dietary factors were developed for each middle school and high school student. Above all, we developed convenient food frequency questionnaire for predicting iron intake or hemoglobin. We used convenient food frequency questionnaire(Fe 15food items) for development of screening tool. Fe index with 15 food items, frequency of soybean curds and soy products, education of mother, biceps skinfold thickness were adopted in the screening tool for middle school girls. There factors explained 32.0% of the variation in hemoglobin and the sensitivity was 81.25% to screen out anemic subjects evaluated as anemic with Hb(&lt;11.5g/dl). For high school students, the screening tool was consisted with Fe index with 15 food items, biceps skinfold thickness, height and family size. There factors significantly explanined 24.7% of the variation of hemoglobin and the sensitivity was 75.5%.

Serum insulin-like growth factor-I and body composition in community dwelling older people

The decline in the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (GH/IGF-I) axis during normal aging might be involved in the changes in body composition associated with increasing age. We conducted a study to investigate serum IGF-I levels across different age categories and a possible association between serum IGF-I and measurements of body composition in older people. A cross-sectional analysis of community dwelling older people, which participated in a large longitudinal cohort study (Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam). 1319 subjects, 644 men, mean age 75.6 +/- 6.6 years and 675 women, mean age 75.4 +/- 6.6 years. IGF-I, body mass index (BMI), waist, waist-hip ratio (WHR), fat mass, lean body mass and total bone mineral density. IGF-I levels were significantly lower in the highest age categories. BMI and biceps skinfold measurements were lower in the lowest IGF-I quartile in men aged > or =75.5 years. In men with a low total physical activity score (<131 min/day), BMI, WHR and skinfolds were significantly lower in the lowest IGF-I quartile. In women with a high total physical activity score (>174 min/day), WHR was lower in the lowest IGF-I quartiles. In this large cohort of community dwelling older people, we observed lower serum IGF-I levels in the higher age categories. A low serum IGF-I was associated with significantly lower measurements of body composition, such as BMI, skinfolds and WHR. These results do not support previous findings that high IGF-I levels are favourable for a healthy body composition in community dwelling older people.