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[Anthropometric-nutritional status of a Spanish middle-class juvenile population. Study by age and sex groups]
M A Gargallo Fernández1, A I de la Cruz Iglesias, D Garrudo Benito
1Unidad de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital Del Río Hortega, Valladolid, Spain.
Insights
Spanish children aged 6-15 are significantly overweight, with a high weight-to-height ratio. Girls exhibit better nutritional status than boys in this socioeconomic group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Anthropometry
- Public Health
Background:
- Assessing the nutritional status of children is crucial for public health interventions.
- Previous studies suggest potential nutritional challenges in specific socioeconomic environments.
- Anthropometric measurements provide key indicators of child growth and nutritional health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the current nutritional status of Spanish children aged 6 to 15 years.
- To analyze anthropometric data including weight, height, tricipital fold, and arm circumference.
- To identify potential correlations between nutritional indicators and demographic factors.
Main Methods:
- Conducted an anthropometric study of 1,026 children (6-15 years) in Fuenlabrada, Madrid.
- Measured weight, height, tricipital fold, and arm circumference.
- Calculated weight-to-height ratio (w/h) and arm muscular circumference (AMCp); data analyzed by sex and age groups.
Main Results:
- The study revealed a significantly elevated overall weight-to-height ratio (108.8 +/- 17.4), indicating overweight prevalence.
- 20.6% of children exceeded 120% of the ideal weight-to-height ratio.
- Girls demonstrated superior nutritional parameters compared to boys, particularly in arm muscular circumference.
Conclusions:
- The Spanish infant population studied is significantly overweight, confirming prior research.
- Girls appear less affected by the middle to lower socioeconomic environment regarding nutritional status.
- The weight-to-height ratio serves as a reliable indicator of overall nutritional status in children.
Abstract:
To make an initial approach to the current nutritional situation of the Spanish infant population, we carried out an anthropometric study of the children from 6 to 15 years of age in two schools in Fuenlabrada (Madrid) in a middle to lower class social environment. A total of 1,026 children were studied, to determine weight, height, tricipital fold and arm circumference. These parameters were used to calculate the weight/height ratio (w/h) and the muscular circumference of the arm. All these parameters were tabulated in percentile terms for comparison. The sample was divided into groups according to sex and to age (under 9, 9 to 12 and over 12). We found an overall w/h ratio of 108.8 +/- 17.4, more than the theoretical 100% (p < 0.001); 20.6% of the children over 120%. The Tricipital Fold (TFp) percentile was 62.5 +/- 27, with no differences according to age or sex. The percentile for arm muscular circumference (AMCp) was 48.8 +/- 27 for girls and 41.6 +/- 28 for boys (p < 0.001). Finally, we found a positive and significant correlation (p < 0.05) between w/h and AMCp (r = 0.51) and between w/h and TFp (r = 0.57). We conclude that the population studied is significantly overweight, confirming previous studies. Girls showed better nutritional parameters than the boys, apparently less nutritionally affected by the middle to low social environment. Finally, the w/h ratio, as an isolated parameter, is a good overall index of the nutritional state of children.