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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Waist circumference values in Spanish children--gender related differences
1E.U. Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|July 14, 1999
Summary
Reference values for waist circumference in Spanish children show higher values in boys than girls, particularly after age 11.5. These findings support the need for age and gender-specific growth charts for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Anthropometry
- Public health
Background:
- Accurate anthropometric measurements are crucial for monitoring child growth and identifying health risks.
- Establishing reference values for waist circumference is essential for pediatric health assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine reference values for waist circumference in Spanish children aged 6.0-14.9 years.
- To analyze the influence of age and gender on waist circumference measurements in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 1360 schoolchildren (701 boys, 659 girls) in Zaragoza, Spain.
- Waist and hip circumferences were measured using an inelastic tape.
- Children with chronic diseases or those who refused participation were excluded.
Main Results:
- Waist circumference was generally higher in boys than girls, with significant differences emerging after 11.5 years of age.
- Percentile values for waist circumference were higher in males, especially after 12.5 years, with a 7.6 cm difference at the 95th percentile at 14.5 years.
- While hip circumference was greater than waist circumference in both sexes, waist circumference showed a decreasing tendency in females between 11.5 and 14.5 years.
Conclusions:
- Waist circumference values increase with age in both boys and girls.
- Significant gender differences in waist circumference emerge during adolescence.
- The study highlights the necessity of implementing age- and gender-specific reference standards for waist circumference in children.
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