Anthropometric indices of school children and familiar risk factors.
BACKGROUND
Overweight in adolescence predicts adverse health effects in adulthood. We carried out a primary school health program and assessed children's growth and body composition.


METHODS
Were screened 869 (448 M, 421 F) primary school children: height, weight, four skinfolds, and four circumferences were measured. A family-reported questionnaire was used to determine family composition, history, and lifestyle.


RESULTS
Age was 118 +/- 5 months, BMI 18 +/- 3 kg/m(2). No difference by gender was observed as for BMI or blood pressure. Girls had higher skinfold thickness at the biceps (BCF), triceps (TCF), subscapular (SSF), and suprailiac (SIF) areas (P < 0.001), hip and thigh circumferences (P < 0.01), body fat percentage (P < 0.001). Boys had higher waist circumference (P < 0.01), waist/thigh ratio, and conicity index (P < 0.001). Offspring BMI was correlated with birth weight (P < 0.05), parental BMI and scholarship level (P < 0.001), children blood pressure (P < 0.001), and hours per day spent in television viewing (P < 0.01). Family history for diabetes was associated with higher BMI, SSF, waist circumference (P < 0.05), and upper thigh (P < 0.01). Family history for hypertension was associated with higher SSF/TCF ratio (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Three of 869 children had BMI >30 kg/m(2) (2 boys and 1 girl), 33 had BMI >25 kg/m(2) (17 boys and 16 girls). The percentages of children who could be considered overweight (BMI >/=95(th) percentile of age- and sex-specific NHANES I reference data) were boys, 10.0%, and girls, 9.3%. Anthropometric and anamnestic data on child and family yield more accurate estimates of risk profile: fat distribution seems relevant for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.
Giampietro
Ottavio
O
Department of Food Prevention, University of Pisa, Az.USL 5, Pisa, Italy.
Virgone
Eleonora
E
Carneglia
Luca
L
Griesi
Elena
E
Calvi
Debora
D
Matteucci
Elena
E
D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors