ANTHROPOMETRIC PERCENTILE OF GALICIAN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Obesity is a health problem recognized by the WHO, worldwide.

Objective: The objective of this study is to provide percentile anthropometric values ​​according to age and sex so that they can be used as a reference pattern for the adolescent population of Galicia.

Method: Cross-sectional observational study to evaluate the anthropometric measurements of the school population of both sexes between 12 and 16 years of age in Vigo. The study variables were: age (years); gender (male and female); nationality/country of origin; and height (cm); tricipital, bicipital, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal, pectoral, thigh, and leg skinfolds (mm); diameters of the radial bistiloid bone, humeral biepicondyle, femoral biepicondyle (cm); perimeters of waist, hip, contracted arm, relaxed arm, head, wrist and leg (cm); and indices obtained by impedance measurement (% lean mass, % fat mass and % water). The analysis is performed with R-Studio.

Results: 490 schoolchildren were analyzed, 253 men and 237 women, the average weight and average height, by age and sex, were calculated. In addition, the 0.97, 0.90, 0.75, 0.50, 0.25, 0.10, and 0.03 percentiles of each independent variable by sex and age are determined and expressed graphically, as well.

Conclusions: Anthropometric percentiles of adolescents in our environment are provided, so that, given the absence of recent similar data in the literature, they can be used as a reference pattern.