Anthropometric features of physical development of modern metropolis schoolchildren

Abstract

Aim. To define characteristics of growth and development of children and adolescents of school age in the city of Samara.Methods. Measurements of anthropometric parameters of 2617 children aged 7-17 years, of which 1397 children studied in general educational institutions of Samara, 1220 schoolchildren - in the regional centers of the Samara region, were performed. The obtained values of anthropometric parameters of physical development of schoolchildren in Samara were compared with the study results of the appropriate age and sex groups of children and adolescents living in the Samara region.Results. Children of the regional capital and district centers come to school with virtually the same anthropometric parameters. Due to the inhomogeneous influence of conditions and nature of education, nutrition, motor activity indicators of physical development in the educative process acquire significant differences. The height of the city of Samara boys aged 7-15 years is lower than height of peers living in the Samara region (p ˂0.01). Body weight in girls to 9 years, and in boys since 7 years of age is less than in their peers who live in the district centers of the Samara region (p ˂0.05). The chest circumference of the Samara schoolchildren is significantly less than that of their peers of the Samara region in the age groups of 7-14 years in boys and 8-14 years in girls. Waist circumference of Samara boys in the age groups of 7-11 and 13 years and in girls aged 10-14 years is significantly less than that of the Samara region children. Hip circumference of the Samara schoolchildren in junior (7-10 years) and middle (11-14 years) school grades is less than in children of Samara region (p ˂0.05).Conclusion. Revealed differences in anthropometric parameters of children of the city of Samara and Samara region demonstrate the need to develop regional standards to evaluate the physical development of children and adolescents of big cities and rural areas.