[Body mass index and triceps skinfold correlation in children from Paulínia city, São Paulo, SP].
Body mass index (BMI) has been considered a criterion to define and analyse obesity in adults and children.


BACKGROUND
the purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between BMI and triceps skinfold (TSF).


METHODS
there were studied 4,236 children (3.1-10.9y); 48.3%M:51.6%F, from four studies made in Paul nia, SP-Brazil. Height, weight and TSF (Holtain caliper) were measured. For each children BMI was calculated and transformed in SDS, according to North American data (Frisancho, 1993). Multiple linear regression analysis (stepwise) was used for the whole population and in three groups according to BMI: A) SDS < or = -1.0; B) -1.0 < SDS< 1.0) SDS(3) 1.0. Data were processed with SPSS software.


RESULTS
in group A, the TSF (7.8 +/- 2.3) variability was lower when compared with the groups B (10.1 +/- 4.0) and C (17.8 +/- 6.2). In multiple linear regression with the whole population, R = 0.478 for TSF. In groups B and C, R = 0.364 and 0.368 respectively for TSF, and in group A it was only 0.032.


CONCLUSIONS
these observations demonstrated a height correlation between BMI and TSF in children with obesity risk (group C). Therefore, we conclude that, in Brazil BMI can be used for children's research of obesity in population studies, instead of TSF.
Zambon
Mariana Porto
MP
Hospital das Clínicas da Unicamp - Departamento de Pediatria, Campinas, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. zambon@correionet.com.br
Zanolli
Maria de Lurdes
Mde L
Marmo
Denise Barbieri
DB
Magna
Luís Alberto
LA
Guimarey
Luis Manuel
LM
Morcillo
André Moreno
AM
D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012885:Skinfold Thickness