Anthropometric indices among schoolchildren from a municipality in Southern Brazil: a descriptive analysis using the LMS method

Abstract

Objective: To describe the percentile values for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (Wc) and waist-to-height (WHtR) of children from colombo, Brazil, and compare them with data of children from other countries. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 2,035 children aged 6-11 years. Age-and sex-specific smoothed percentiles curves for BMI, Wc and WHtR were created using the LMS method. Values of 10 th , 50 th and 90 th percentiles from Brazilian children were compared with data from other countries. Results: There was a trend of increasing BMI and Wc with age in both sexes. WHtR remained constant with advancing age in boys and girls. comparison of the growth pattern among countries showed clear differences. Southern Brazil boys and girls had elevated 90 th percentile values for BMI, which was similar to german children and higher than the north American and World Health Organization percentile values. However, children from this study had intermediate values for Wc and WHtR in comparison to children from other countries. Conclusions: Elevated BMI values were observed among southern Brazilian children, but Wc and WHtR percentile values were lower in southern Brazilian children than in children from other countries. Interventions at different levels should be made to avoid a probable increase of nutritional disorders (especially general obesity) in the next years.

Physical growth of children and adolescents living at a moderate altitude: proposed percentiles based on age and sex

“…Thus, the real value of the curves resides in the help they provide in determining to what extent the physiological needs are met during the growth and motor development processes (36). Moreover, the curves can be crucial for creating public policies oriented towards the prevention and combatting childhood obesity (37).…”

Child Growth: Concept Analysis

“…3 Such measures can be used jointly with weight relations referring to sex and age, predicting the child's nutritional situation. 52 The analysis of growth curves based on the anthropometric indexes of weight and stature (length or height) is evidenced as a growth measure, as this phenomenon is closely related to genetic heritage and environmental factors; the interaction of these factors will either allow or not allow reaching this biological goal: increase in body size (cephalocaudal, proximodistal), justifying the consequence "adequate anthropometric indexes in accordance with the child's age and sex established through growth curves". 3 As regards the consequences "performs general motor skills according the age pattern" and "performs refined motor skills according the age pattern," the authors 13 affirm that when the central nervous system, muscles, and bones are ready and the environment offers proper opportunities for exploration and practice, children surprise adults with their new motor capabilities.…”

Vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency is associated with insulin resistance in Brazilian children, regardless of body fat distribution

“…Waist circumference was measured at the midpoint between the iliac crest and the last rib using a flexible and inelastic tape measure. Abdominal adiposity values above the 90th percentile according to age and gender were considered excessive, as proposed for Brazilian children ( 25 ) . Waist-to-height ratio was calculated by dividing waist (in centimetres) by height (in centimetres).…”