Parameters In Boys Research Articles

Axiological criteria for predicting the success of socio-psychological adaptation of schoolchildren of younger adolescence

Introduction. The system of personal value orientations is considered the main determinant of the processes of socio-psychological adaptation. The value structure has a significant impact on both the development and formation of a personality, as well as on the regulation of its self-awareness, cognitive and emotional sphere and behavior. In adolescence, the maximum stress of adaptation processes occurs and the most pronounced intolerance to negative environmental influences is manifested. In this regard, the analysis of value-intentional mechanisms and strategies of sociopsychological adaptation at this age seems extremely relevant.Materials and Methods. The study involved 300 boys and girls of early adolescence, who, using a refined technique, had Schwartz and the K. Rogers and R. Diamond questionnaire "Sociopsychological adaptation" assessed the system of value orientations and the level of adaptation. Statistical processing of the materials included the calculation of the Mann-Whitney U-test and discriminant analysis (step-by-step Wilkes method).Results. The system of value orientations (includes 19 parameters) and the level of social adaptation of adolescents are studied. The comparison of value and adaptation parameters in boys and girls was carried out. Using statistical procedures, respondents with high and low levels of adaptability were identified. The comparison of value indicators was carried out both between respondents with different degrees of adaptation, and between adolescents of different genders. Canonical functions with a high discriminative ability for boys and girls are calculated, which allow using axiological variables to divide the respondents according to their degree of social adaptation.Discussion and Conclusions. It is shown that the effectiveness of the processes of social adaptation of adolescents improves as the degree of differentiation of value orientations increases, manifested by an increase in the "spread" of their positions in the "field" of value consciousness. It is established that the most important factor in the successful social adaptation of adolescents is the dominance of the main group-centered value orientations and the diminution of the role of egocentric intentions. The ambivalence of the influence of hedonistic intention on adaptation has been revealed, the increasing importance of which, in combination with the development of groupcentered values, contributes to successful social adaptation, and in combination with the increasing role of other egocentric values, becomes a factor of low tolerance to social frustration. The maladaptive influence of the value orientations "reputation" (in boys) and "independence" (in girls) on the processes of social adaptation has been established. The axiological criteria are calculated.

BIOMARKER «PEAK HEIGHT VELOCITY» AS THE INDICATOR OF SECULAR DYNAMICS OF PHYSICAL STATUS IN INTERGROUP STUDIES/COMPARISONS

Introduction. The goal of study is the estimation of «peak height velocity» (PHV) as the marker of secular trends in addition to secular dynamics of height (H). Material and methods. The study embraces the block of samples of scholars (6/7-17 years) from Russia and former USSR, examined through the vast historical period from 1920th till nowadays, literary data and personal archives of the authors. The main attention is paid to three urban agglomerations - Moscow, Nizhniy Novgorod, Minsk. The following number of parameters is determined for each sample: the age of maximal velocity of growth dynamics of average levels of H during adolescence (APHV), determined according to the empirical patterns of annual changes of average H levels and consequent smoothing by least square method - differentially for boys and girls; and delta between parameters of boys and girls; maximal quantitative level of growth changes in cm (IPHV), different for boys and girls as well, and delta between the parameters. Results. The difference of APHV between boys and girls for each population under study is about two years - boys have delayed PHV as compared to girls in any ecological niche. Secular dynamics of APHV has nonlinear character, doesn’t decrease progressively through the whole historical interval from 1920th to 2000th, despite of permanent increase of the level of anthropogenic stress in cities under analysis, the lowest APHV is fixed in 1980th. Correlations of APHV with absolute annual H values through the age interval 6/7-17 years is systematic and high enough for boys (correlation about 0,5, determination coefficient about 0,25) and accidental for girls, being revealed for only one annual age group among 12 analyzed. Correlations of IPHV with absolute values of H are maximal at 7 years and minimal at 17 years, the level of correlations is less for girls as compared to boys. Conclusion. PHV really marks the secular somatic dynamics along with H itself as genetic marker. Correlation of APHV with absolute annual levels of H through the interval 6/7-17 years is systematic and significant for boys and accidental for girls, which witness to genetic determination of growth tempo of boys. Correlation of IPHV with absolute values of H, having highest levels at 7 years, points to the fact that height at 7 years is a real trigger of PHV parameters.

Морфометрические особенности сердца у детей 7–10 лет, проживающих на территории Архангельской области

The purpose of this paper was to determine the morphometric characteristics of the heart in 7–10-year-old children living in the Arkhangelsk Region in relation to their physical development parameters. Materials and methods. The research was performed in Vyzhletsov Arkhangelsk Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital. Using echocardiography, we studied the morphometric parameters of 990 children of both sexes aged between 7 and 10 years without cardiovascular pathologies and collected their anthropometric data. Results. With the relative stability of the processes of morphofunctional maturation at this stage of ontogenesis, both sexand age-related structural features of the heart were detected. The largest number of sex-related differences was found for children aged 8 years, and they were associated with greater values of cardiac parameters in boys compared to girls. Sеx-related differences in the width of the major vessels get levelled out by the age of 10. Parameters of physical development naturally increase with age, evenly over the years; sexual dimorphism is not pronounced. The total increase in anthropometric values from 7 to 10 years in boys and girls was: 12.67 % and 14.10 % for body length, 38.68 % and 40.66 % for body weight, and 24.21 % and 27.17 % for body surface area (BSA), respectively. The most consistent and unidirectional age-related changes concern BSA, which demonstrates a significant correlation with cardiac morphology, especially in late prepuberty. The greatest stability in reflecting the share of variation in echocardiogram parameters in all age and sex groups has BSA calculated by the Mosteller formula. The left heart in boys starts to enlarge from 8 to 10 years, while in girls, between 9 and 10 years. Factor analysis showed an increase in the contribution of physical development parameters to the dispersion of morphological characteristics of the heart with age.

Clinical aspects of histological and hormonal parameters in boys with cryptorchidism: Thesis for PhD degree.

Clinical aspects of histological and hormonal parameters in boys with cryptorchidism: Thesis for PhD degree.

What's missing in sex chromosome aneuploidies? Representation and inclusion

What's missing in sex chromosome aneuploidies? Representation and inclusion

CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN MACEDONIAN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN, PREVALENCE AND PREVENTION

Assessment of sex-specific differences of anthropometric parameters as indicator of growth and nutritional status in preschool children from Macedonia.The study included a total of 200 healthy preschool children from Macedonian nationality. Thirthteen anthropometric parameters were measured, defining longitudinal, circular and transversal dimensionality of the skeleton using standard technique and instruments for measurement. The following indices were selected and calculated: weight-for –age; height-for-age and BMI. Skin –folds (triceps, scapula, thigh) were also measured. Qualitative examinations were with self-organizing maps. Sex-specific differences for almost all anthropometric parameters were detected, but they were not significant. Girls showed higher values than boys regarding height and weight, but there were no significant differences concerning BMI. Values at the 50th percentile in girls were 20 kg for BW, 108.1 cm for BH and 16.82 kg/m² for BMI. The values of these parameters in boys were 19.75 kg for BW, 108.25 cm for BH and 16.24 for kg/m² for BMI. The values for triceps skin-fold were higher in boys than (13.0 ±3.0) than in girls (12.5 ±3.6).The results obtained can be used as criteria for assessment and detecting deviations in growth and nutritional status in preschool children. Keywords: anthropometry, growth, nutritional status, preschool children, self organizing maps. &nbsp

Возрастные изменения площади мозолистого тела человека

Objective: to carry out a comparative analysis of the area of the corpus callosum in men and women in adolescence, old age, and old age according to magnetic resonance imaging data. Material and methods. The results of magnetic resonance imaging studies of the brain of 138 patients (72 men and 66 women) were analyzed. The entire study material was divided into three groups. The first group included 44 adolescents (21 men and 23 women aged 16-21 years); the second group included 50 elderly people (27 men and 23 women aged 56-74 years); the third group included 44 seniors (24 men and 20 women aged 75-88 years). We determined the area of the corpus callosum in the sagittal projection along the midline. Results. The analysis of the results of the study revealed a tendency for the prevalence of cerebellar area parameters in boys and girls in comparison to the elderly and senile age representatives (p>0.05). There was a tendency for prevalence of cerebral body area parameters in elderly subjects over elderly ones (p>0.05). In all age groups there was a tendency for superiority of cerebral body area parameters in men compared to women (p>0.05). Conclusion. The obtained results of the in vivo comparative analysis of the area of the corpus callosum in humans in adolescence, old age and senile age extend the scientific knowledge of its age-specific features. Thus, these data can serve as a benchmark of age-related anatomical norm in various instrumental examinations, such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, and provide a foundation for further clinical research.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Lockdown on Anthropometric Parameters in Children 11/12 Years Old.

Background: During the great lockdown in Spain due to SARS-CoV-2, in between the months of March and June 2020, dietary and physical activity habits were modified in children. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the lockdown on anthropometric parameters in children aged 11/12 years. Methods: Fifty Spanish children aged 11/12 years (M = 11.40; SD = 0.50) participated: 33 (66%) boys and 17 (34%) girls. For data collection, we used an anthropometry kit; the Alpha-Fitness Battery, a validated instrument to assess dietary intake, habits and practices; and an ad hoc survey to collect sociodemographic and other data under investigation. Results: There were significant differences in the anthropometric parameters measured and in the results obtained for Body Mass Index (BMI) and body fat percentage pre- and post-lockdown in both boys and girls (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in waist-circumference measurements (p > 0.05). Conclusions: There is evidence of a significant impact of the SARS-CoV-2 lockdown on anthropometric parameters in boys and girls aged 11/12 years.

MP55-01 IS TESTICULAR SIZE DISCREPANCY ASSOCIATED WITH SEMEN PARAMETERS IN BOYS WITH VARICOCELES?

You have accessJournal of UrologyPediatric Urology V (MP55)1 Sep 2021MP55-01 IS TESTICULAR SIZE DISCREPANCY ASSOCIATED WITH SEMEN PARAMETERS IN BOYS WITH VARICOCELES? Justin Dubin, Nehizena Aihie, Belen Mora, Laura Angulo, Ranjith Ramasamy, Alireza Alam, and Thomas Masterson Justin DubinJustin Dubin More articles by this author , Nehizena AihieNehizena Aihie More articles by this author , Belen MoraBelen Mora More articles by this author , Laura AnguloLaura Angulo More articles by this author , Ranjith RamasamyRanjith Ramasamy More articles by this author , Alireza AlamAlireza Alam More articles by this author , and Thomas MastersonThomas Masterson More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002085.01AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract WITHDRAWN © 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 206Issue Supplement 3September 2021Page: e958-e958 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Justin Dubin More articles by this author Nehizena Aihie More articles by this author Belen Mora More articles by this author Laura Angulo More articles by this author Ranjith Ramasamy More articles by this author Alireza Alam More articles by this author Thomas Masterson More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Loading ...

Features of sexual development, immune status and biochemical parameters in boys suffering from acne

Among skin diseases in children and adolescents, the most common pathology is acne. The main pathogenetic link of acne in adolescents is hormonal imbalance. The effect on the sebaceous glands of high concentrations of dihydrotestosterone causes a change not only in the quantitative but also in the qualitative composition of the sebaceous secretion. The study is devoted to assessing the characteristics of sexual development, immune status and biochemical parameters in boys suffering from acne. Materials and methods.&#x0D; Materials and methods. A comparative analysis of the state of immunity, sexual development, biochemical parameters of 147 boys suffering from acne, and 142 healthy boys who do not suffer from acne.&#x0D; It was found that the immune status of boys suffering from acne was characterized by a decrease in cytotoxic lymphocytes. In the peripheral blood of these boys, serum interferon , tumor necrosis factor , interleukins 1, 2, 8 and 10, as well as small circulating immune complexes were significantly higher than in the boys of the control group. In boys suffering from acne, in the puberty period, the concentration of prolactin in 1314 years is significantly lower, and testosterone levels are significantly higher than in boys of the control group of the same age. At 1517 years of age, the concentration of luteinizing hormone in boys with acne is significantly lower, and testosterone is higher than in boys in the control group. Evaluation of the degree of formation of secondary sexual characteristics indicates that boys suffering from acne differed from their peers from the control group by a small advance in sexual development. Thus, boys suffering from acne, characterized by advanced and disharmonious puberty.

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis and phase angle in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

BackgroundDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a disease characterized by progressive loss of functional muscle mass followed by changes in body composition.ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe and evaluate bioimpedance parameters in boys with DMD.DesignThis cross-sectional, descriptive study investigated children and adolescents diagnosed with DMD. Age, weight, height, resistance, and reactance data were collected. Phase angle and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis were calculated based on resistance and reactance values.ResultsWe analyzed 43 boys aged between 2.7 and 19.8 years. Low-phase angle values were observed during the investigation of bioimpedance parameters. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis showed that approximately 87% of the subjects presented vectors outside the tolerance ellipses, and only one patient presented vectors located within the 50% tolerance ellipse, indicating normally hydrated and a good body cell mass. Compared with the reference population, boys with DMD had lower levels of body cell mass.ConclusionBased on the evidence, compared with the reference population, patients with DMD had lower levels of body cell mass. This evidence points to bioimpedance parameters as useful tools for the nutritional evaluation and clinical management of patients with DMD.

Salivary versus Serum Testosterone Levels in Boys with Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty

BackgroundSalivary testosterone (Sal-T) has been established as a noninvasive biomarker in the diagnosis of androgen deficiency in men. However, available data on its utility in adolescent boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) are not conclusive. Our study was designed to compare salivary versus serum measurements of free testosterone (FT) from the samples collected simultaneously and correlated them with the clinical parameters in boys with CDGP.Patients and methodsThe study enrolled 25 adolescent boys with CDGP and 20 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Weight, height, BMI, testicular volume, bone age, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were assessed. Simultaneous morning saliva and serum samples were obtained for FT measurements by radioimmunoassay and Sal-T by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.ResultsAdolescent boys with CDGP had significantly lower Sal-T and serum free-T than normal controls (P<0.001). Sal-T positively correlated with BMI, bone age, testicular volume, serum FSH, LH, and FT. With multiple regression analysis BMI, FSH, LH, and serum FT remained independently correlated with Sal-T. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve, Sal-T was found to be more sensitive than serum FT (76 vs. 69%) in the clinical assessment of boys with CDGP.ConclusionOur data shows that Sal-T strongly correlates with FT and provides a sensitive, simple, noninvasive, and diagnostic approach for androgen status in adolescent boys with CDGP.

79 - Signs of oxidative stress parameters in boys of different ethnic groups with exogenous-constitutional obesity

Background 25% of adolescents have excessive body weight and 15% of adolescents in the developed countries have obesity. The research of molecular mechanisms of obesity formation in adolescence is topical. Methods 148 boys - Mongoloids (n=75, age – 14.19±1.9) and Russians (n=73, age – 14.03±1.99) were examined. Each ethnic group was divided into subgroups: patients with exogenous-constitutional obesity and control. Spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods were used. Increased levels of primary lipid peroxidation products - diene conjugates (2.48 times), products - TBARs (1.24 times), total antioxidant activity (1.34 times) and decreased activity of glutathione peroxidase (1.49 times) in Mongoloids with obesity compare to the control were registered. Increased levels of TBARs (1.33 times), decreased levels of total antioxidant activity (1.36 times), α-tocopherol (1.45 times), and activity of glutathione peroxidase (1.8 times) in Russians with obesity than in control were revealed. TBARs level was higher (1.25 times) in Mongoloids than in Russians. Conclusion Adolescent boys with exogenous-constitutional obesity experience oxidative stress comparing to adolescent boys with normal weight. Increased systemic oxidative stress induced by childhood obesity can cause development of obesity-related complications and diseases. The reactivity of the lipid peroxidation system in Mongoloids and Russian boys for obesity is different.

Sex-Related Differences in the Developmental Morphology of the Atlas: A Computed Tomography Study.

A retrospective study. To elucidate sex-related differences in the age at synchondroses closure, the normative size of the atlas, and the ossification patterns of the atlas in Japanese children. The atlas develops from three ossification centers during childhood. The anterior and posterior synchondroses, which are separate ossification centers, mimic fracture lines on computed tomography (CT). Sex-related differences of age dependent morphological changes of the atlas in a large sample size have not been reported. This study analyzed data of 688 subjects (449 boys) between 0 and 18 years old who underwent CT examination of the head and/or neck between January 2010 and July 2016. The age at synchondroses closure, anteroposterior outer, inner, and spinal canal widths of the atlas, and variations of the ossification centers were examined. Anterior synchondroses closed by 10 years in boys and by 7 years in girls. Significant earlier closure of anterior synchondroses was observed in girls than in boys (P < 0.05 at 4 and 5 years old). Posterior synchondrosis closed by 6 years in boys and by 5 years in girls. The outer, inner, and spinal canal widths increased up to 10 to 15 years in both sexes, although all three parameters in girls peaked 3 years earlier than those in boys. All parameters in boys were significantly larger than those in girls, except in the 10- to 12-year-old age category. Two or more ossification centers in the anterior arch were observed in 18.3% subjects, and 6% had midline ossification centers in the posterior arch of the atlas. Distinct sex-related differences in the age at anterior synchondroses closure and the size of the atlas were observed in Japanese children. Knowledge of morphological features of the atlas could help distinguish fractures from synchondroses. 3.

Effects of ambient air pollution from municipal solid waste landfill on children's non-specific immunity and respiratory health.

This cross-sectional study investigated the association between air pollutant (AP) and respiratory health of 951 children residing near a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill in Northern China. Results showed that students in non-exposure areas had significantly higher levels of lysozyme, secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and better lung capacity than students in exposure areas (p < .05). Multiple regression model analysis indicated that lysozyme levels exhibited a consistent negative association with methane (CH4: β = -76.3, 95% CI -105 to-47.7) and sulfuretted hydrogen (H2S: β = -11.7, 95% CI -20.2 to-3.19). In addition, SIgA levels were negatively associated with H2S (β = -68.9, 95% CI -97.9 to-39.9) and ammonia (NH3: β = -30.3, 95% CI -51.7 to-8.96). Among all AP, H2S and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were the most robustly related with reduced lung function. H2S exposure was negatively associated with six lung function indices, 1-s forced expiratory volume (FEV1%), mean forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% (MMF), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), and forced expiratory flow at 25%, 50%, and 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF25, FEF50, FEF75); and SO2 was negatively associated with FEV1%, MVV, FEF25, FEF50 and FEF75. Our results suggested that AP exposure was negatively associated with more lung function parameters in boys than in girls. In conclusion, our findings suggested that children living adjacent to landfill sites were more likely to have deficient non-specific immunity and impaired lung function.

Screen-based sedentary behavior during adolescence and pulmonary function in a birth cohort

BackgroundAdolescents spend many hours in sitting activities as television viewing, video game playing and computer use. The relationship between sedentary behavior and respiratory health remains poorly elucidated. To date there have been no studies evaluating the relationship between sedentary behavior and pulmonary function in young populations. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between the trajectory of screen-based sedentary behavior from 11 to 18 years and pulmonary function at 18 years in a Brazilian birth cohort.MethodsData from a longitudinal prospective study conducted among the participants of the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort. Time spent on television, video games, and computers during a weekday was self-reported at ages 11, 15 and 18 years. For each age, sedentary behavior was defined as the sum of time spent on these screen-based activities. To evaluate the sedentary behavior trajectory during adolescence group-based trajectory modeling was used. Outcome variables were three pulmonary function parameters: forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow (PEF), evaluated by spirometry, at 18 years expressed as z-scores. Crude and adjusted linear regressions, stratified by sex, were performed.ResultsThe three-group trajectory of sedentary behavior was the best fitting model. The trajectory groups were: always high (representing 38.8% of the individuals), always moderate (54.1%), and always low (7.1%). In the adjusted analyses, boys in the always-low group for sedentary behavior had higher FVC at 18 years (β = 0.177; 95% CI:0.027;0.327; p = 0.021) than boys in the always-high group. There were no differences for other pulmonary function parameters in boys. No significant association was found for girls.ConclusionThe trajectory of screen-based sedentary behavior throughout adolescence was not consistent associated with pulmonary function at 18 years.

The acute effect of maximal aerobic and isometric exercise on arterial stiffness parameters in boys and men

PurposeTo evaluate whether the acute effects of aerobic or isometric exercise on arterial stiffness parameters differ between boys and men. MethodsFourteen boys (10 ± 2 years, BMI 17.8 ± 1.9 kg/m2) and nine men (26 ± 3 years, BMI 24.4 ± 3.3 kg/m2) completed maximal aerobic and isometric exercise testing. Blood pressure and arterial stiffness parameters [β-stiffness index, central pulse wave velocity (PWV)] were measured at rest, 5- and 20-min post-exercise. ResultsSystolic blood pressure (SBP) increased at 5 min and returned to resting values at 20 min in both groups for aerobic exercise (time p < 0.01). Men had a greater increase in SBP at 5 min post-isometric exercise than boys (interaction p < 0.01). Diastolic blood pressure was not different between groups for either exercise mode. At 5 min, aerobic exercise induced increases in β-stiffness index with greater increases seen in men (interaction p < 0.01). Isometric exercise resulted in opposite β-stiffness index responses; men increased whereas boys decreased (interaction p < 0.05). Boys had lower baseline PWV than men at all time points (p < 0.01) and PWV significantly increased in men at 5 min post-aerobic exercise (p = 0.01); this interaction approached significance (p = 0.051). ConclusionBoys show a differential arterial stiffness response following both aerobic and isometric exercise in comparison to men, which may be attributable to the seemingly quicker SBP recovery seen in boys.

Commentary to ‘Prospective study of histological and endocrine parameters of gonadal function in boys with cryptorchidism’

The authors presented a well-conducted study on histological and endocrine parameters in boys with cryptorchidism after orchidopexy. They described the known consequence of delayed orchidopexy: Ad-spermatogonia decreases and fertility parameters worsen with increasing age. They also found lower basal LH values in boys with a higher infertility risk (i.e. no Ad-spermatogonia), but could not show a statistically significant correlation with the histological findings. However, they concluded that their data, in conjunction with the findings from previous studies performed by Dr. Hadziselimovic and his co-workers, support the need for hormonal treatment in boys with cryptorchidism. Unfortunately, no control data, not even hormonal levels of healthy peers, were provided in order to strengthen their conclusion. In light of growing evidence from multiple recent studies (performed in animal models as

Sagittal and vertical occlusal cephalometric analyses of Pancherz: Norms for Chinese children

The aims of this research were to establish norms for the sagittal and vertical occlusal cephalometric analyses of Pancherz for Chinese children and compare them with those of a matched white sample. The material comprised lateral cephalograms of a random sample of 405 southern Chinese children (age, 12 years; 200 boys, 205 girls) and an additional sample of 86 British white children (age, 12 years; 43 boys, 43 girls) in Hong Kong. The radiographs were digitized twice. Statistically significant sex differences were found for 9 of 11 parameters in the sagittal occlusal analysis, and 6 of 10 in the vertical occlusal analysis in the Chinese sample, whereas there were no sex differences in the sagittal occlusal analysis and only 2 differences in the vertical occlusal analysis in the white sample. Statistically significant ethnic differences were found for 5 parameters in boys and 8 in girls of the 11 parameters in the sagittal analysis. For the vertical analysis, 7 of 10 parameters in both sexes differed significantly. For the sagittal and vertical occlusal analyses of Pancherz, separate sex-specific standards are needed for Chinese and white children.

Factor analysis of metabolic syndrome components in severely obese girls and boys

Factor analysis is a multivariate correlation technique frequently employed to characterise the aggregation of abnormalities underlying the metabolic syndrome (MS), but scarcely used in obese adolescents. Aim of the study was to investigate the clustering of anthropometric and metabolic variables related to the MS in 487 obese pubertal adolescents (140 boys, 347 girls) in the range of age 11-18 yr employing the factor analysis with exploratory approach. Principal component analysis reduced 11 correlated physiological variables to 4 uncorrelated factors that explained 68.7% of the variance in the original parameters in boys, and 68.4% in girls. In boys, these factors were: obesity/ hypertension, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, with elements related to obesity and fat distribution loaded also in dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. In girls no commonalities were detected, but elements of dyslipidemia and insulin resistance were loaded in a single factor, whereas elements of obesity and hypertension were loaded in separate factors. The identification of 4 independent factors suggests a multiple physiological origin of the MS also in youngsters. The measures of adiposity were correlated with development of hypertension, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemic phenomena in boys only, whereas in girls anthropometric measures were not correlated with any tested component of the MS, possibly disclosing the protective effect of female sex hormones in the juvenile age span.