Growth rate and anthropometry of a Libyan population

Body weight, standing height, skin-fold thicknesses at four sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac) and percent fat were measured in 1800 Libyan children and adults aged 6-25 years. There was a marked difference in anthropometric measurements between boys and girls at the age of 14 years. Libyan children have the same rate of increase in standing height as European children. Percentage fat was correlated significantly (P less than 0.05) with body mass index. Percentage fat in girls was twice that in boys during all stages of growth. The present study can be used as a source of reference for a Libyan population.