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The physical growth of high altitude Bolivian Aymara children
Insights
Aymara children at high altitudes in Bolivia show delayed growth in height and weight, similar to other Andean populations. Their larger chest dimensions compared to U.S. children may relate to altitude.
Area of Science:
- Human biology
- Anthropology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- High-altitude environments present unique physiological challenges.
- Understanding growth patterns in indigenous high-altitude populations is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the anthropometric growth patterns of Aymara children in Ancoraimes, Bolivia.
- To compare the growth of these children with other Andean populations and U.S. children.
Main Methods:
- Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, chest dimensions) were collected from 510 Aymara children (ages 6.0-20.9 years).
- Data were analyzed to describe growth characteristics and compare them with reference populations.
Main Results:
- Aymara children exhibit delayed height and weight growth, characteristic of high-altitude Andean populations.
- They show minimal sexual dimorphism in body size.
- Relative to stature, chest dimensions are larger than U.S. children, but smaller than Peruvian Quechua children at higher altitudes.
Conclusions:
- The growth patterns of Ancoraimes Aymara children are consistent with adaptation to high-altitude living.
- Altitude may be a significant factor influencing growth differences between Andean populations.
Abstract:
This study describes the growth characteristics of Aymara children living in Ancoraimes, Bolivia at altitudes between 3800 and 4000 meters. Anthropometric measurements were made on 510 children between the ages of 6.0 and 20.9 years, 360 males and 150 females. The growth pattern of Ancoraimes Aymara children is very similar to that of other high altitude Andean populations. They are greatly delayed in height and weight, exhibit little sexual dimorphism in body size and, relative to stature, have larger chest dimensions than U.S. children. Compared to Quechua children living at higher altitudes in Peru, Ancoraimes children tend to be taller and heavier but have significantly smaller chest dimensions. Although the causes of the size differences between these two groups are not entirely clear, they may be due to the different altitudes at which the groups reside.