Secular Trends in Height and Changes in Anthropometric Measures Among Adult Women in Nuñoa, Peru 1964-2018

This study examines secular trends in body size among women in a high-altitude Andean population in Nuñoa, Peru to evaluate the relative contributions of high-altitude adaptation versus political-economic and nutritional factors to the small body sizes previously observed in this population. It investigates changes in height, weight, and body composition across the 1960s, 1980s, and 2010s.

Anthropometric data were drawn from three cross-sectional samples of adult women (ages 18-64) collected in the 1960s (n = 134), 1980s (n = 167), and 2010s (n = 169). Measures included height, weight, BMI, arm circumference, and triceps skinfolds. Participants were stratified by age (18-24; 25-64). ANCOVA and t-tests were used to assess between-period and within-group differences.

Women in the 2010s were significantly taller, heavier, and had higher BMI, arm circumference, and skinfolds than earlier cohorts, indicating a clear secular trend. No significant height differences were observed between the 1960s and 1980s. Increases in weight and BMI were driven primarily by women aged 25-64 years. Progressive increases in adiposity measures across all periods suggest shifting body composition. Age-related differences in body size shift between the earlier periods and the 2010s.

Findings demonstrate that improvements in socioeconomic conditions, healthcare, and diet have contributed significantly to increased body size, supporting a biocultural interpretation. Evidence of rising BMI and adiposity suggests that Nuñoa is undergoing an early-stage nutrition transition, with declining undernutrition and emerging risks of overweight. Persistent short stature relative to national and Andean averages reflects ongoing structural inequalities despite recent gains.