Subscapular Skinfold Measurements Research Articles

Circulating Irisin Levels in Preadolescents and Adolescents Born Preterm

Introduction: Prematurity is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk later in life. The adipomyokine irisin has been acknowledged as a modulator of energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate circulating levels of irisin and their relation to anthropometric measurements and cardiometabolic phenotype in a population of preterm-born children versus full-term-born peers. Methods: A total of 160 children (87 born preterm aged 8.1–14.8 years and 73 born full-term of similar age and gender distribution) were studied. Arterial blood pressure, anthropometry, body composition assessments with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and skinfold measurements were performed. Blood biochemistry and circulating levels of irisin, insulin, cortisol, leptin, and adiponectin were also determined. Results: The preterm group had higher diastolic blood pressure, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold (SSSF), and abdominal skinfold measurements and more central adiposity than the full-term group. Irisin was significantly lower (p = 0.002), whereas leptin was higher (p = 0.03) in the preterm than the full-term group. Irisin correlated positively with gestational age (r = 0.19, p = 0.01), birth weight (r = 0.23, p = 0.003), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.20, p = 0.01) and negatively with SSSF (r = −0.25, p = 0.003) and chronological age (r = −0.21, p = 0.008). Conclusion: Lower levels of irisin and a slightly unhealthy adiposity and cardiometabolic pattern were detected in preterm-born children in comparison to their full-term-born peers. Whether low irisin levels in preadolescents and adolescents born prematurely could be of prognostic value for the development of cardiometabolic sequelae later in life remains to be further studied.

Lifestyle Behaviors Associated With Body Fat Percent in 9- to 11-Year-Old Children

To examine (1)associations between body fat percent (BF) and lifestyle behaviors in children aged 9-11 years and (2)the consistency of these associations over a 10-year period. In this repeat, cross-sectional study, 15,977 children aged 9-11 years completed an anthropometric assessment and the SportsLinx Lifestyle survey between 2004 and 2013. Body fat was estimated according to the sum of the triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements. Multilevel models were utilized to examine associations between BF and responses to the lifestyle survey while controlling for known covariates. Lifestyle behaviors explained 8.6% of the total variance in body fat. Specifically, negative associations were found between BF and active transport to school ( β = -0.99 [0.19], P < .001), full-fat milk (-0.07 [0.15], P < .001), and sweetened beverage consumption (-0.40 [0.15], P = .007). Relative to the reference group of ≤8:00 PM, later bedtime was positively associated with BF: 8:00 to 8:59 PM ( β = 1.60 [0.26], P < .001); 9:00 to 10:00 PM ( β = 1.04 [0.24], P < .001); ≥10:00PM ( β = 1.18 [0.30], P < .001). Two-way interactions revealed opposing associations between BF and the consumption of low-calorie beverages for boys ( β = 0.95 [0.25], P < .001) and girls ( β = -0.85 [0.37], P = .021). There was no significant change in these associations over a 10-year period. In this population-level study covering a decade of data collection, lifestyle behaviors were associated with BF. Policies and interventions targeting population-level behavior change, such as active transport to school, sleep time, and consumption of full-fat milk, may offer an opportunity for improvements in BF.

Triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness percentiles of a school-based sample of adolescents in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Skinfold thickness is an indicator of body fat, allowing a more detailed description of obesity. In Vietnam, there are no published percentile values for triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements from population-based studies of adolescents. This study aims to establish percentile tables for triceps, subscapular, and triceps + subscapular skinfolds (TSF + SSSF) sum. We used data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in Ho Chi Minh City. BMI, triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements of 2660 students were obtained. The L (Box-Cox transformation), M (median), and S (coefficient of variation) parameters were used to generate exact percentiles. The proportion of overweight was higher in boys (18.4% vs. 8.2%, p < 0.0001). Triceps, subscapular skinfolds, and TSF + SSSF were significantly higher in girls than in boys (p < 0.001). Our results provide sex- and age-specific reference values for skinfold thickness that can be applied as a new complimentary assessment tool for Vietnamese adolescents.

Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of obese students with sleep problems in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective This study estimated the combined prevalence of insufficient number of hours of sleep per day and excess body adiposity among young students. The sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics associated with this concurrent health conditions were investigated. Methods This is a cross-sectional school-based study of 975 participants aged 11-14 years in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Body adiposity was assessed based on tricipital and subscapular skinfold measurements and classified according to Lohman. The total number of hours of sleep per day was reported by the students’ parents/guardians, and it was classified as follows: as &lt;8 hours per day and ≥8 hours per day. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, food consumption, and physical activity were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression with a 5% significance level were used to evaluate the association between the variables. Results The combined prevalence of insufficient number of hours of sleep per day and excess body adiposity was 25.1% (CI95%:20.7-29.9). The sociodemographic and behavioral factors predictive of these conditions were as follows: 13-14 year age group and household monthly income in the intermediate tertile. Conclusion The concurrent presence of insufficient sleep and excess body adiposity was found in a little more than a quarter of the students investigated. The population subgroups belonging to the 13-14 year age group and intermediate tertile of income were more likely to have concurrent insufficient number of hours of sleep per day and excess body adiposity.

Triceps and Subscapular Skinfold Thickness Percentiles and Cut-Offs for Overweight and Obesity in a Population-Based Sample of Schoolchildren and Adolescents in Bogota, Colombia.

The assessment of skinfold thickness is an objective measure of adiposity. The aims of this study were to establish Colombian smoothed centile charts and LMS L (Box–Cox transformation), M (median), and S (coefficient of variation) tables for triceps, subscapular, and triceps + subscapular skinfolds; appropriate cut-offs were selected using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis based on a population-based sample of children and adolescents in Bogotá, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 9618 children and adolescents (55.7% girls; age range of 9–17.9 years). Triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements were obtained using standardized methods. We calculated the triceps + subscapular skinfold (T + SS) sum. Smoothed percentile curves for triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness were derived using the LMS method. ROC curve analyses were used to evaluate the optimal cut-off point of skinfold thickness for overweight and obesity, based on the International Obesity Task Force definitions. Subscapular and triceps skinfolds and T + SS were significantly higher in girls than in boys (p < 0.001). The ROC analysis showed that subscapular and triceps skinfolds and T + SS have a high discriminatory power in the identification of overweight and obesity in the sample population in this study. Our results provide sex- and age-specific normative reference standards for skinfold thickness values from a population from Bogotá, Colombia.

Anthropometry of children with cerebral palsy at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is one the most common causes of disability among children in developing countries and is often associated with poor growth. The assessment of growth and nutrition of children is an important aspect of health monitoring and is one of the determinants of child survival. Aim: To assess the nutritional status of children with CP as seen in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Subjects and Methods: A prospective case-control study was conducted on children with CP attending the weekly pediatric neurology clinic of the LUTH between April 2005 and March 2006. Controls were apparently healthy children being followed up at the children's out-patient clinic of LUTH for acute illness that had resolved. Anthropometric measurements of weight, length/height, mid-upper arm circumference, and skinfold thickness were taken according to the protocols recommended by the International Society of the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Statistical Analysis: EPI-INFO (version 6.04) was used for analysis. Chi-square test was used to determine associations. Student's t-test was used to compare means of patients and matched controls. Probability P < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. Results: The controls had higher weight than the patients with mean weight (standard deviation) of 13.7 (4.8) kg, and 12.0 (4.5) kg, respectively (P = 0.01). There were also statistically significant differences in the subscapular and biceps skinfold measurements between the patient and control groups (P = 0.00004 and 0.000008), respectively. Twenty-four (25.8%) and 5 (5.4%) of the patients had moderate and severe undernutrition compared to 6 (6.1%) and none, respectively, in the control group (P = 0.00005). Conclusion: Children with CP had significantly lower mean anthropometric parameters and were more malnourished compared with the control group of children matched for age, sex, and social class.

Beyond height and weight: a programme of school nurse assessed skinfold measurements from white British and South Asian origin children aged 4–5 years within the Born in Bradford cohort study

ObjectiveTo describe the feasibility, reliability and additional information gained from collecting additional body fatness measures (beyond height and weight) from UK reception year children.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingBradford, UK.Participants2458 reception year children...

Effect of a Park-Based After-School Program on Participant Obesity-Related Health Outcomes

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a structured after-school program housed in a large county parks system on participant health and wellness outcomes. Longitudinal cohort study over one school year (fall 2011-spring 2012). A total of 23 county parks in Florida. Children ages 5 to 16 (N = 349, 55% non-Hispanic black, 40% Hispanic, mean age 8.9 years). An after-school program called Fit-2-Play that integrates daily standardized physical activity and health and wellness education components. Preintervention (August/September 2011) and postintervention (May/June 2012) anthropometric, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, fitness, and health and wellness knowledge measurements were collected. Comparison of pre-post outcome measure means were assessed via general linear mixed models for normal-weight (body mass index [BMI] <85th percentile for age and sex) and overweight/obese (BMI ≥85th percentile for age and sex) participants. The overweight/obese group significantly decreased their mean (1) BMI z score (2.0 to 1.8, p < .01) and (2) subscapular skinfold measurements (19.4 to 17.5 mm, p < .01) and increased (1) mean laps on the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run test (10.8 to 12.5, p = .04) and (2) percentage with normal systolic blood pressure (58.1% to 71.0%, p = .03) from pretest to posttest. On average, participants significantly improved their health and wellness knowledge over the school year (p < .01). Normal-weight participants maintained healthy BMI ranges and significantly increased fitness levels. Findings suggest that the Fit-2-Play after-school programs can be a significant resource for combating childhood obesity and instilling positive physical health in children, particularly among ethnic and socioeconomically diverse communities.

Body mass index, body fat, and nutritional status of patients with heart failure: The PLICA study

Nutritional assessment may help to explain the incompletely understood obesity paradox in patients with heart failure (HF). Currently, obesity is usually identified by body mass index (BMI). Our objective was to assess the prognostic influence of undernourishment in HF outpatients. Two published definitions of undernourishment were used to assess 214 ambulatory HF patients. Definition 1 included albumin, total lymphocyte count, tricipital skinfold (TS), subscapular skinfold, and arm muscle circumference (AMC) measurements (≥2 below normal considered undernourishment). Definition 2 included TS, AMC, and albumin (≥1 below normal considered undernourishment). Patients were also stratified by BMI and body fat percentage and followed for 2 years. All-cause death or HF hospitalization was the primary endpoint. Based on BMI strata, among underweight patients, 60% and 100% were undernourished by Definitions 1 and 2, respectively (31% and 44% among normal-weight, 4% and 11% among overweight, and 0% and 3% among obese patients, respectively, according to the two definitions). The most prevalent undernourishment type was marasmus-like (18% of the total cohort). Undernourishment by both definitions was significantly associated with lower event-free survival. Following multivariable analysis, age, NYHA functional class, NTproBNP, and undernourishment (hazard ratio [HR] 2.25 [1.11-4.56] and 2.24 [1.19-4.21] for Definitions 1 and 2, respectively) remained in the model. In this cohort, BMI and percentage of body fat did not independently predict 2-year event-free survival. Nutritional status is a key prognostic factor in HF above and beyond BMI and percentage of body fat. Patients in normal BMI range and even in overweight and obese groups showed undernourishment. The high mortality observed in undernourishment, infrequent in high BMI patients, may help to partly explain the obesity paradox. Proper undernourishment assessment should become routine in patients with HF.

Changes in total and central adiposity and body fat distribution among 7-10-year-old schoolchildren in Brazil.

To describe changes in total and central adiposity and body fat distribution in children over a 5-year period by investigating variations in BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and skinfold thicknesses (SFT). A school-based sample of children from 2nd to 5th grades of elementary schools participated in two cross-sectional studies in 2002 (n 2936) and 2007 (n 1232). Public and private schools of Florianopolis, Brazil. Schoolchildren aged 7-10 years had their weight, height, WC and SFT measured according to standard procedures. Body fat distribution was assessed by triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and medial calf skinfold measurements. Changes in BMI, WC, WHtR and SFT were analysed, adjusting for type of school and monthly family income. Adjusted mean differences between 2002 and 2007 for BMI and WC were always positive and of similar magnitude between boys and girls. However, a statistically significant increase was observed only for BMI (raw and Z-score values) in boys. WHtR remained stable in both sexes. Adjusted median values for SFT also increased in boys and girls, except for triceps skinfold. BMI, WC and SFT tended to increase across age classes in both sexes. The relative change observed for the median central skinfolds (subscapular and suprailiac) was greater than that of peripheral skinfolds (triceps and medial calf). The subcutaneous adipose tissue (SFT) appeared to increase at a faster rate than total adiposity (BMI). The increase in central SFT indicates that the relative change is due primarily to a rise in central adiposity.

A randomised study of metformin versus insulin in gestational diabetes: early childhood outcomes.

Metformin is a possible alternative to insulin in the treatment of gestational diabetes once it has been established that diet and exercise alone have failed to maintain glycaemic control. The largest randomised trial to date of metformin in women with gestational diabetes (MiG) (751 participants) showed greater acceptability to women, a lower risk of hypoglycaemia and less weight gain than insulin (Rowan et al. N Engl J Med 2008;358:2003–15). A meta-analysis of six randomised trials of metformin versus insulin (1420 participants) confirmed the lower weight gain, and a lower risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia in the metformin group (Su et al. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2014;104:353–7). However, both the MiG trial and the meta-analysis showed a 60% increased risk of preterm birth that cannot be explained. In addition, metformin is known to cross the placenta, although the safety profile so far is relatively reassuring and the medication is used in pregnancy for other conditions. Therefore any information from the randomised trials regarding effects on the children after the neonatal period is valuable. The authors of this report describe follow up at 6, 12 and 18 months of 93 children whose mothers took part in a randomised trial of metformin versus insulin for gestational diabetes in Finland (Ijäs et al. BJOG 2011;118:880–5). Anthropometric measurements were taken at each child's paediatric visits by clinic staff. A brief developmental evaluation was also conducted at 18 months as part of routine care. The children in the metformin group were found to be heavier but also taller at 12 and 18 months. In addition, at 12 months significantly more children were greater than the 95th centile for height in the metformin group and at 6 months significantly more children in the insulin group were less than or equal to the fifth centile. Ponderal index was not different between the two groups at any visit. The developmental examination did not reveal any differences; however, the assessment was basic, and the power to detect any but extreme differences was limited. There was no difference in the age at walking or standing. Previously, children from the MiG study followed up at 2 years were shown to have higher subscapular and biceps skinfold measurements in the metformin group than the insulin group (Rowan et al. Diabetes Care 2011;34:2279–84). All other measurements, including body fat percentage, were not significantly different, which may signify a more favourable distribution of body fat. However, this study was marred by the large lost to follow up rate (44%) at the three sites involved. The results of trials to date suggest that metformin use in pregnancy is beneficial and apparently safe, apart from the still open question of preterm birth. The Finnish study gives some reassurance that the longer-term consequences of exposure in-utero are benign. Although more research is needed, this study still provides a useful piece of the puzzle. I have no interests to declare.

Familiality of addiction and its developmental mechanisms in girls

BackgroundDrug use disorders (DUD) have been theorized to share sources of risk variation with other consummatory behaviors. We hypothesized that common mechanisms exist for familial risk for DUD, physiological maturation and nutritional status in girls. Whereas body fat content must exceed a threshold to enable adrenarche and gonadarche, nutritional status may also be a behavior risk indicator. Impaired psychological self-regulation associated with DUD risk may manifest in early overeating, which could in turn accelerate reproductive maturation, resulting in a greater likelihood of affiliation with deviant/older peers and drug use. MethodThe sample consisted of families ascertained through the father who either had (N=95) or did not have (N=130) a DUD, and who had a 10–12 year old daughter and her mother available for study. Correlation, survival and path analyses of three consecutive assessments evaluated the relationships between parental DUD (number of affected parents, NAP), nutritional status (NS, subscapular skinfold measurements and body mass index), sexual maturation (Tanner stage), peer delinquency, and the daughter's lifetime DUD diagnosis. ResultsNAP was positively related to the girls’ nutritional status. Longitudinal path analysis indicated mediation of the relationship between NAP and peer delinquency by sexual maturation. The relationship between NAP and sexual maturation is mediated by NS. The effect of sexual maturation at age ∼11 on the girls’ DUD risk is mediated by peer delinquency. ConclusionThe data are consistent with mediation of intergenerational transmission of DUD risk in females by elevated nutrition, leading to accelerated maturation, and affiliation with deviant peers.

UK-born Pakistani-origin infants are relatively more adipose than white British infants: findings from 8704 mother-offspring pairs in the Born-in-Bradford prospective birth cohort

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown markedly lower birth weight among infants of South Asian origin compared with those of White European origin. Whether such differences mask greater adiposity in South Asian...

Reduction of ethnic inequalities in birthweight: a public health paradox

BackgroundBirthweight is a key predictor of infant and later adult health. Previous studies have shown substantially lower birthweight in infants of south Asian origin than in those of white European origin. Whether such differences mask increased adiposity in south Asian infants and whether they persist across generations in contemporary UK populations is unclear but important to the development of public health interventions aimed at increasing birthweight. We aimed to compare birthweight, skinfold thickness, and cord leptin between Pakistani and white British infants and to investigate whether the magnitude of any difference varies depending on whether the mother, father, and all four grandparents were born in the UK or south Asia. MethodsWe examined differences in birthweight, subscapular, and triceps skinfold thickness between 4649 Pakistani and 4055 white British infants born at term in the same UK maternity unit and compared cord leptin in a subgroup of 775 Pakistani and 612 white British infants. All infants were born to mothers recruited to the Born in Bradford cohort study between March, 2007, and December, 2010. Around 80% of women invited to take part were recruited to the study and levels of recruitment were broadly similar in both ethnic groups. We investigated whether the magnitude of any differences changed by Pakistani generation and used multiple linear regression models to adjust for a wide range of potential explanatory or masking factors (including smoking, alcohol, maternal glycaemia, body-mass index, height parity, sex, gestation, and socioeconomic factors). FindingsPakistani infants were lighter (adjusted mean difference −234 g, 95% CI −258 to −210) than were white British infants and were smaller in both subscapular and triceps skinfold measurements. The differences for subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness (mean Z score difference −0·27, 95% CI −0·34 to −0·20, and −0·23, 95% CI −0·30 to −0·16, respectively) were smaller than the difference in birthweight (mean Z score difference −0·52, 95% CI −0·58 to −0·47) and attenuated to the null with adjustment for birthweight (0·03, 95% CI −0·03 to 0·09, and −0·01, 95% CI −0·08 to 0·05, respectively). Cord leptin concentration (used as an indicator of fat mass) was similar in Pakistani and white British infants without adjustment for birthweight, but with adjustment became 30% higher (95% CI 17–44) in Pakistani infants than in white British infants. The magnitudes of difference did not differ by generation. InterpretationDespite being substantially lighter, Pakistani infants had similar skinfold thicknesses and greater total fat mass, as indicated by cord leptin, for a given birthweight than did white British infants. Our findings draw attention to a potential problem for WHO guidance and other health policy aimed at increasing birthweight in populations in low-income and middle-income countries and in migrant populations in high-income countries. If mean birthweight increases, but a fat-preserving tendency is maintained, the effect might be simply to increase adiposity, which in turn could worsen long-term cardiometabolic health and increase existing ethnic inequalities in diabetes and coronary heart disease. Policies to reduce ethnic inequalities in birthweight therefore need to consider differences in adiposity, and the possibility that increasing birthweight in south Asian infants might inadvertently worsen health by increasing relative adiposity. FundingJW was funded by a UK Medical Research Council (MRC) Special Training Fellowship in Health of the Public and Health Services Research (MRCGO601712), DAL works in a centre that receives funding from the MRC (G0600705). Cord leptin assays were funded by a British Heart Foundation Project Grant (PG/09/036/27380).

Increase in prevalence of adiposity between the ages of 7 and 11 years reflects lower remission rates during this period

What is already known about this subject? A considerable increase in the prevalence of overweight during the primary school years (7-11 years) has been reported. What this study adds? This reflects lower remission rates of excess body fat (i.e. the proportion of shifts from excess to normal body fat) between the ages of 7 and 11 years as compared with nearly balanced incidence and remission rates of excess body fat between the ages of 3 and 7 years. This study aimed to compare the age-specific balance between incidence and remission of excess body fat between the ages of 3-7 and 7-11 years using the data from a longitudinal study. Longitudinal analysis based on the data from the Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) Study, an ongoing, open cohort study in healthy children, conducted in Dortmund, Germany. Excess body fat was defined by the sum of triceps and subscapular skin-fold measurements above the 90th reference percentile of the new German standard; overweight was defined using different national and international standards. The main outcome parameters were incidence and remission rates of excess body fat (n = 496) and overweight (n = 518) between the ages of 3 and 7 years and between the ages of 7 and 11 years. The incidence rates of excess skin-fold thickness between the ages of 3 and 7 years (4.2 [2.4, 6.2]%) and between the ages of 7 and 11 years (4.3 [2.6, 6.2]%) were almost identical. By contrast, remission rates were significantly lower during the age period of 7-11 years (primary school age) than during the age period of 3-7 years (pre-school age): 37.5 (21.9, 53.1%) compared with 72.3 (59.6, 85.1%). These data point to the low remission of excess body fat as an important driving force for the increasing prevalence of excess body fat in children between the ages of 7 and 11 years. Public health initiatives in children should encompass both primary prevention and interventions targeted at children already overweight at school entry.

Percentile curves for skinfold thickness in 7- to 14-year-old children and adolescents from Jena, Germany

To present age- and sex-specific percentile curves for triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness, and to investigate long-term changes in skinfold thickness in children. A cross-sectional study of children and adolescents was conducted in Jena/Germany in 2005/2006. The sample consisted of 2132 children (1018 girls and 1114 boys) aged 7-14 years and equated to the anthropometric characteristics of the German sample included in the reference values for body mass index (BMI). Height, weight and triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements were obtained using standardized methods. Smoothed percentile curves for triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness were derived by the LMS method. Data were compared with historical data of Jena schoolchildren from 1975. In both sexes, skinfold thickness increased between 7 and 14 years of age in a sex-specific pattern, with generally higher median values for triceps and subscapular skinfold in girls than boys. A comparison with skinfold thickness measured in Jena schoolchildren three decades ago showed a significant increase in subcutaneous fat. The changes in the lower range (below the tenth percentile) of the distribution exceed those in the upper range (above the 90th percentile) for both triceps and subscapular skinfold in both sexes. Furthermore, this gain in subcutaneous fat mainly occurred in underweight and normal-weight subjects, whereas skinfold thickness remained nearly unchanged in overweight subjects. The up-to-date percentile curves for skinfold thickness provide a basis for monitoring of individuals and evaluation of long-term trends in German children and adolescents. The changes in skinfold thickness indicate an unfavourable increase in adiposity, as well as an unfavourable change in the relationship between BMI and body fat in children and adolescents over time.

Body Mass Index and Body Composition in Relation to Sexual Maturation

To assess body mass index. (BMI) in relation to sexual maturation and verify how fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) contribute to its increase. 1,275 White adolescents (656 girls and 619 boys), aged 9 to 18 years, were evaluated according to Tanner stages. FFM and FM were calculated by triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements and leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance. BMI-for-maturation was distributed into percentiles. Fat-free mass index (FFMI) and body fat mass index (BFMI) were calculated based on BMI 50t" ph percentile values. During maturation, as BMI increases, girls gain FFMI (13.3 kg/m2 at B1 and 15.8 kg/m2 at B5) and BFMI (3.7 kg/m2 at B1 and 5.7 kg/m2 at B5)--proportionally more fat-- while boys gain FFMI (14.3 kg/m2 at G1 and 17.9 kg/m2 at G5) and lose BFMI (4.8 kg/m2 at G1 and 3.2 kg/m2 at G5). These data suggest that FFMI and BFMI-for-maturation should be assessed in adolescents monitored for overweight and obesity.

Impact of Intermittent Preventive Anti-Malarial Treatment on the Growth and Nutritional Status of Preschool Children in Rural Senegal (West Africa)

Negative consequences of malaria might account for seasonality in nutritional status in children in the Sahel. We report the impact of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of seasonal intermittent preventive anti-malarial treatment on growth and nutritional status in 1,063 Senegalese preschool children. A combination of artesunate and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine was given monthly from September to November. In the intervention arm, mean weight gain was significantly greater (122.9 +/- 340 versus 42.9 +/- 344 [SD] g/mo, P < 0.0001) and losses in triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements were less (-0.39 +/- 1.01 versus -0.66 +/- 1.01 mm/mo, and -0.15 +/- 0.64 versus -0.36 +/- 0.62 mm/mo, respectively, P < 0.0001 for both). There was no difference in height increments. The prevalence of wasting increased significantly in the control arm (4.6% before versus 9.5% after, P < 0.0001), but remained constant in intervention children: 5.6% versus 7.0% (P = 0.62). The prevention of malaria would improve child nutritional status in areas with seasonal transmission.

Anthropometric and Performance Correlates of Push-up and Sit-up Tests

Physical fitness tests are often used to assess muscular strength and endurance. In some instances, such as in the case of injury to a particular body part, an individual may not be able to perform a certain protocol. PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the push ups test (PU), sit ups test (SU), and selected anthropometric variables and build a prediction model for each test of muscular performance. METHODS: Sixty three (33 females, and 30 males) apparently healthy adults (age = 22.8 +/− 3.9) volunteered to participate in the study. Each subject completed the following: 60-seconds PU test and 60-seconds SU test. Subjects were also measured for the following anthropometric variables: weight, height, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, abdominal (SFab), subscapular (SFss), and thigh (SFth) skinfold measurements. Sex was also included as an independent variable. RESULTS: The zero-order correlations to PU and SU are shown in the table (p 0.01**; p < 0.05*). The highest correlations were between PU and SU. Weight did not significantly correlate to either SU (r = 0.01) or PU (r = −0.12) and, therefore, was excluded from the table. Stepwise regression revealed that the best predictors of PU were SU as expressed by the following bivariate prediction equation: PU = 6.770 (SU x 0.752) R = 0.71, R2 = 0.50, SEE = 8.7. For SU, the best predictors were PU and SFth. The prediction equation for SU was: SU = 29.636 + (PU x 0.446) + (SFth ×-0.519). R = 0.79, R2 = 0.63, SEE = 7.0.TableCONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that PU and SU performance were highly interrelated. The regression equations developed by this study may be viable in providing a prediction of one performance score as an alternative assessment option.

Associations among Body Composition, Androgen Levels, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Status in Adolescents

Purpose To investigate whether factors influencing body composition may be unique for male and female adolescents with horizontal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods HIV infected and uninfected youth (aged 13–18 years) participating in the multi-center project REACH (Reaching for Excellence on Adolescent Health Care) had at baseline anthropomorphic measurements including height, weight, bicep, tricep, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold measurements and midarm circumference. Body mass index, muscle mass, fat free body mass, and fat mass were calculated and predictors of these measures were assessed using multiple variable linear regression. Predictors included contraception, HIV status and related variables (CD4 counts, treatment status, and viral load), substance use, androgen levels as well as appetite changes, and bone age. Results In multiple variable linear regression analysis, female adolescents’ body composition was associated with HIV status, CD4 + T cell counts, and free testosterone levels. HIV status was found associated with higher fat and lean body mass, however lower CD4+T cell counts were associated with lower fat and lean body mass. Higher testosterone levels were associated with higher lean and fat mass. For adolescent males, higher total testosterone levels but not free testosterone levels were associated with lower lean and fat mass. Conclusions HIV status was not associated with a lower muscle or fat mass. Different factors influenced body composition for females than males. Higher testosterone levels may be protective against loss in lean and fat mass in females.