Percentiles de peso, talla e índice de masa corporal de escolares de Mendoza. Comparación con la referencia de la Organización Mundial de la Salud / Body mass index, weight, and height percentiles in school-aged children from Mendoza. A comparison with the WHO reference

Introducción. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) recomienda el uso de tablas de referencia para monitorear el crecimiento y estado nutricional de niños, niñas y adolescentes. El peso corporal, la talla y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) son las variables más utilizadas. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivos estimar los percentiles de peso, talla e IMC de escolares (2009-2011) residentes en el departamento San Rafael (Mendoza) y compararlos con la referencia internacional de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, a fin de establecer su pertinencia para la evaluación del crecimiento y estado nutricional de dicha población. Población y métodos. Se realizó un estudio antropométrico transversal en 3448 escolares de entre 4,00 y 13,49 años de edad. Se utilizó el programa LMS ChartMarker Pro para calcular los valores percentilares de peso/edad, talla/edad e IMC/edad, por sexo y edad, y se compararon con las curvas de la OMS. Además, se calcularon diferencias porcentuales (D%) para estimar las diferencias y su significación estadística mediante prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados. La población de San Rafael mostró, en varones y mujeres, valores percentilares superiores de peso e IMC (D% ≈7 % y 9 %, respectivamente), y menores de talla (D% ≈0,8 %) que los de la OMS (p <0,05). Conclusión. Las diferencias encontradas alertan sobre el empleo de la referencia OMS en la población escolar de San Rafael, ya que sobreestimaría las prevalencias de sobrepeso, obesidad y desnutrición crónica, y subestimaría la de desnutrición aguda y global. Esta situación resalta la importancia de contar con una referencia local.

Introduction. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of reference tables to monitor the growth pattern and nutritional status of children and adolescents. Body mass index (BMI), weight, and height are the most commonly used variables. The objective of this study was to estimate the BMI, weight, and height percentiles for school-aged children (2009-2011) living in the department of San Rafael (Mendoza) and compare them to the international World Health Organization reference to establish their relevance for the evaluation of the growth pattern and nutritional status of this population. Population and methods. A cross-sectional anthropometric study was conducted in 3448 school-aged children aged 4.00 to 13.49 years. The LMS ChartMarker Pro software was used to estimate the BMI- for-age, weight-for-age, and height-for-age percentiles, by sex and age, and they were compared with the WHO curves. Besides, percentage differences (%D) were calculated to estimate the differences and their statistical significance using the Wilcoxon test. Results. The population of boys and girls in San Rafael showed higher weight and BMI (%D ≈ 7% and 9%, respectively) percentiles, and lower height (%D ≈ 0.8%) values than WHO reference (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The differences found warn about the use of the WHO reference in the school-aged population of San Rafael since it would overestimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and chronic malnutrition and underestimate the prevalence of acute and global malnutrition. This situation highlights the importance of having a local reference resource

Body mass index, weight, and height percentiles in school-aged children from Mendoza. A comparison with the WHO reference. / Percentiles de peso, talla e índice de masa corporal de escolares de Mendoza. Comparación con la referencia de la Organización Mundial de la Salud.

Introduction. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of reference tables to monitor the growth pattern and nutritional status of children and adolescents. Body mass index (BMI), weight, and height are the most commonly used variables. The objective of this study was to estimate the BMI, weight, and height percentiles for school-aged children (2009-2011) living in the department of San Rafael (Mendoza) and compare them to the international World Health Organization reference to establish their relevance for the evaluation of the growth pattern and nutritional status of this population. Population and methods. A cross-sectional anthropometric study was conducted in 3448 school-aged children aged 4.00 to 13.49 years. The LMS ChartMarker Pro software was used to estimate the BMIfor-age, weight-for-age, and height-for-age percentiles, by sex and age, and they were compared with the WHO curves. Besides, percentage differences (%D) were calculated to estimate the differences and their statistical significance using the Wilcoxon test. Results. The population of boys and girls in San Rafael showed higher weight and BMI (%D ≈ 7% and 9%, respectively) percentiles, and lower height (%D ≈ 0.8%) values than WHO reference (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The differences found warn about the use of the WHO reference in the school-aged population of San Rafael since it would overestimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and chronic malnutrition and underestimate the prevalence of acute and global malnutrition. This situation highlights the importance of having a local reference resource.

Introducción. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) recomienda el uso de tablas de referencia para monitorear el crecimiento y estado nutricional de niños, niñas y adolescentes. El peso corporal, la talla y el índice de masa corporal (IMC) son las variables más utilizadas. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivos estimar los percentiles de peso, talla e IMC de escolares (2009-2011) residentes en el departamento San Rafael (Mendoza) y compararlos con la referencia internacional de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, a fin de establecer su pertinencia para la evaluación del crecimiento y estado nutricional de dicha población. Población y métodos. Se realizó un estudio antropométrico transversal en 3448 escolares de entre 4,00 y 13,49 años de edad. Se utilizó el programa LMS ChartMarker Pro para calcular los valores percentilares de peso/edad, talla/edad e IMC/edad, por sexo y edad, y se compararon con las curvas de la OMS. Además, se calcularon diferencias porcentuales (D%) para estimar las diferencias y su significación estadística mediante prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados. La población de San Rafael mostró, en varones y mujeres, valores percentilares superiores de peso e IMC (D% ≈7 % y 9 %, respectivamente), y menores de talla (D% ≈0,8 %) que los de la OMS (p <0,05). Conclusión. Las diferencias encontradas alertan sobre el empleo de la referencia OMS en la población escolar de San Rafael, ya que sobreestimaría las prevalencias de sobrepeso, obesidad y desnutrición crónica, y subestimaría la de desnutrición aguda y global. Esta situación resalta la importancia de contar con una referencia local.

Changes in the prevalence of undernutrition, overweight and obesity in children and adolescents from Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Misiones provinces (Argentina) over the last two decades.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine changes in the prevalence of undernutrition, overweight and obesity in Argentine children and adolescents over the last two decades, and analyze their relationship with family socioeconomic conditions. METHODS: We compared data in two cross-sectional studies (C) of schoolchildren (n: 4971) aged 4 to 13 years from three provinces: Buenos Aires, Mendoza and Misiones. C1 was carried out between 2005 and 2009 and C2 between 2010 and 2019. Anthropometric (body weight, height, triceps and subscapular skinfolds) and socioeconomic data of both studies were obtained in the same schools by the same investigators, using a similar methodology. The prevalence of nutritional status and the frequency of family socioeconomic conditions were calculated by province and C. Data were analyzed by chi square test, categorical principal component analysis and generalized linear model. RESULTS: The prevalence of undernutrition decreased in C2 in Buenos Aires and Misiones and remained constant in Mendoza. At the same time, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased in the three provinces, around 13% in Buenos Aires and 9% in Mendoza and Misiones. Similarly, fat mass increased in C2. Undernutrition was associated with inadequate family socioeconomic conditions only in C1. CONCLUSIONS: This 14-year follow-up study shows a decreasing trend in the prevalence of undernutrition and an increasing trend in the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and fat mass in the child and adolescent population of Argentina. Also, a marked deterioration in family socioeconomic conditions was found, but its relationship with the changes in nutritional status remains to be elucidated.

Percentilos de referencia de la circunferencia y de las áreas muscular y grasa del brazo para la población infantojuvenil argentina (4-14 años) / Reference percentiles for mid-upper arm circumference, upper arm muscle and fat areas in the Argentine child and adolescent population (4-14 years old)

Introducción: La circunferencia del brazo (CB) se reconoce como buen indicador del estado nutricional. Objetivo: Estimar los percentilos de referencia para la CB y las áreas muscular (AM) y grasa (AG) del brazo en la población infantojuvenil argentina mediante el empleo del método LMS (lambda, mu, sigma, en inglés). Materiales y métodos: La muestra estuvo constituida por escolares de 4,0 a 13,9 años residentes en Jujuy, Catamarca, Misiones, Buenos Aires, Mendoza y Chubut. Las mediciones antropométricas de la CB y del pliegue tricipital se realizaron entre 2003 y 2008 siguiendo protocolos estandarizados. Se estimaron las AM, AG, se calcularon los percentilos por edad y sexo, y se compararon mediante el análisis de la varianza. Resultados: Se incluyeron 22 736 escolares (11 397 varones y 11 339 mujeres). Los valores correspondientes al percentilo 50 fueron superiores, en las mujeres, para CB y AG, y, en los varones, para AM. Las curvas de CB presentaron incrementos más marcados a partir de los 7 años en todos los percentilos, para ambos sexos. Un patrón similar se observó para AM, con valores superiores en los varones. Por último, el AG mostró aumento constante en las mujeres y estabilización en los varones a partir de los 11 años. Se observaron diferencias para la edad. Conclusiones: Los valores de percentilos, tabulados y graficados, de la CB y de las AM y AG del brazo pueden constituir una referencia local para estudios epidemiológicos y antropológicos.

Introduction: Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is widely recognized as an adequate indicator of nutritional status. Objective: To estimate the reference percentiles for MUAC, upper arm muscle area (UAMA), and upper arm fat area (UAFA) in the Argentine child and adolescent population using the LMS method (lambda, mu, sigma) Materials and methods: The sample was made up of schoolchildren aged 4.0-13.9 years living in Jujuy, Catamarca, Misiones, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Chubut. MUAC and tricipital skinfold anthropometric measurements were obtained between 2003 and 2008 as per standardized protocols. UAMA and UAFA were calculated, and percentiles by age and sex were estimated and compared using an analysis of variance. Results: A total of 22 736 schoolchildren (11 397 boys and 11 339 girls) were included. The 50th percentile was higher for the MUAC and UAFA among girls and for the UAMA among boys. The MUAC curves showed sharper increases as of 7 years old in all percentiles among both boys and girls. A similar pattern was observed for the UAMA, with higher values among boys. Lastly, the UAFA showed a constant increase among girls and a stabilization among boys as of 11 years old. Differences for age were observed. Conclusions: The tabulated and plotted percentiles and the MUAC, UAMA, and UAFA may be used as local references for epidemiological and anthropological studies.

Reference percentiles for mid-upper arm circumference, upper arm muscle and fat areas in the Argentine child and adolescent population (4-14 years old). / Percentilos de referencia de la circunferencia y de las áreas muscular y grasa del brazo para la población infantojuvenil argentina (4-14 años).

INTRODUCTION: Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is widely recognized as an adequate indicator of nutritional status. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the reference percentiles for MUAC, upper arm muscle area (UAMA), and upper arm fat area (UAFA) in the Argentine child and adolescent population using the LMS method (lambda, mu, sigma). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was made up of schoolchildren aged 4.0-13.9 years living in Jujuy, Catamarca, Misiones, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Chubut. MUAC and tricipital skinfold anthropometric measurements were obtained between 2003 and 2008 as per standardized protocols. UAMA and UAFA were calculated, and percentiles by age and sex were estimated and compared using an analysis of variance. RESULTS: A total of 22 736 schoolchildren (11 397 boys and 11 339 girls) were included. The 50th percentile was higher for the MUAC and UAFA among girls and for the UAMA among boys. The MUAC curves showed sharper increases as of 7 years old in all percentiles among both boys and girls. A similar pattern was observed for the UAMA, with higher values among boys. Lastly, the UAFA showed a constant increase among girls and a stabilization among boys as of 11 years old. Differences for age were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The tabulated and plotted percentiles and the MUAC, UAMA, and UAFA may be used as local references for epidemiological and anthropological studies.

Introducción: La circunferencia del brazo (CB) se reconoce como buen indicador del estado nutricional. Objetivo: Estimar los percentilos de referencia para la CB y las áreas muscular (AM) y grasa (AG) del brazo en la población infantojuvenil argentina mediante el empleo del método LMS (lambda, mu, sigma, en inglés). Materiales y métodos: La muestra estuvo constituida por escolares de 4,0 a 13,9 años residentes en Jujuy, Catamarca, Misiones, Buenos Aires, Mendoza y Chubut. Las mediciones antropométricas de la CB y del pliegue tricipital se realizaron entre 2003 y 2008 siguiendo protocolos estandarizados. Se estimaron las AM, AG, se calcularon los percentilos por edad y sexo, y se compararon mediante el análisis de la varianza. Resultados: Se incluyeron 22 736 escolares (11 397 varones y 11 339 mujeres). Los valores correspondientes al percentilo 50 fueron superiores, en las mujeres, para CB y AG, y, en los varones, para AM. Las curvas de CB presentaron incrementos más marcados a partir de los 7 años en todos los percentilos, para ambos sexos. Un patrón similar se observó para AM, con valores superiores en los varones. Por último, el AG mostró aumento constante en las mujeres y estabilización en los varones a partir de los 11 años. Se observaron diferencias para la edad. Conclusiones: Los valores de percentilos, tabulados y graficados, de la CB y de las AM y AG del brazo pueden constituir una referencia local para estudios epidemiológicos y antropológicos.

Nutritional transition in schoolchildren from Tucumán, Argentina: A cross-sectional analysis of nutritional status and body composition.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to describe the nutritional status and body composition of schoolchildren from Tucumán (Argentina) and analyze variations according to sex, area of residence, and socioeconomic status (SES). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 1948 schoolchildren aged 8.0 to 11.9 years. Body weight, height, triceps skinfold, waist, and upper arm circumferences were measured. Nutritional status and body composition were estimated using the NHANES III reference. SES was surveyed with the Family Affluence Scale. Area of residence was classified as urban or rural based on the criteria of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses of Argentina. Logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate nutritional status and body composition according to sex, area of residence, and SES. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 12.3% and 18.2%, respectively, as compared with that of underweight (2.3%), stunting (3%), and wasting (2.1%). The prevalence of stunting and wasting was higher in girls, while that of obesity was higher in boys. Low SES schoolchildren registered a higher prevalence of stunting. Analysis of body composition indicated modifications in adipose and muscular tissues, especially in undernourished (underweight, stunting, or wasting) children and children with excess weight (overweight or obesity). CONCLUSION: The child population from Tucumán is undergoing an accelerated process of nutritional transition, manifested by the double burden of malnutrition. The distribution of stunting, wasting, and obesity, and changes in fat and muscular tissues were not homogeneous, revealing differences according to sex, area of residence, and SES.

Comparative study of mid-upper arm circumference, arm muscle area and arm fat area percentiles in Argentinean and US children aged 4-14 years / Estudio comparativo de los percentiles de circunferencia, área muscular y área grasa del brazo en niños argentinos y estadounidenses de 4-14 años

Background: mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), subcutaneous fat and muscle measurements are an alternative method to diagnose overweight and evaluate growth as well as protein and energy reserves. Aim: to compare MUAC, arm muscle area (AMA) and arm fat area (AFA) measurements of Argentinean boys and girls (Sa) with reference curves for US boys and girls (R). Subjects and methods: data from 22,736 school-children aged 4-14 years from six Argentinean provinces were collected. MUAC and triceps skinfold thickness were measured and the derived AMA and AFA measures were calculated. Analyses were performed with GAMLß using the R software. Differences in mean values of Sa and R were compared in percentiles 3, 50 and 97. Results: mean values of MUAC and AMA in boys and girls were higher in R than in Sa at all ages; conversely, AFA values were lower. Conclusions: our results confirm differences in upper arm anthropometry of Argentinean school-children with respect to the US reference. The higher adipose tissue and lower skeletal muscle mass observed in Argentinean children could be partly associated with the different ethnic origin of both populations. However, differences should be interpreted in the context of an obesogenic environment, which has favored a calorie-protein imbalance

Antecedentes: la medición de la circunferencia del brazo (MUAC), así como la estimación de la grasa subcutánea y muscular constituyen un método alternativo para diagnosticar el sobrepeso y evaluar el crecimiento y las reservas proteicas y energéticas. Objetivo: comparar las mediciones de MUAC, área muscular (AMA) y área grasa (AFA) del brazo de niños y niñas argentinos (Sa) con curvas de referencia para niños y niñas de Estados Unidos (R). Sujetos y métodos: se recopilaron datos de 22,736 escolares de 4 a 14 años de edad de seis provincias argentinas. Se obtuvieron medidas de MUAC y pliegue subcutáneo tricipital y se calcularon AMA y AFA. Los análisis se realizaron con GAMLß utilizando el software R. Las diferencias en los valores medios de Sa y R se compararon para los percentiles 3, 50 y 97. Resultados: a todas las edades los valores medios de MUAC y AMA en niños y niñas fueron más altos en R que en Sa; por el contrario, los valores de AFA fueron más bajos. Conclusiones: nuestros resultados confirman la existencia de diferencias en la antropometría mesobraquial de los niños argentinos con respecto a los de la referencia. La mayor cantidad de tejido adiposo y menor de tejido muscular observada en los niños argentinos de ambos sexos puede ser parcialmente asociada con el diferente origen étnico de ambas poblaciones. Sin embargo, las diferencias podrían interpretarse en el contexto de un ambiente obesogénico, el cual habría favorecido el desbalance proteico-calórico

Salud percibida y su relación con factores macrosociales e individuales en niños de dos departamentos de Tucumán, Argentina / Perceived health and its relation with macrosocial and individual factors in children from two departments of Tucumán, Argentina

Introducción: El estudio de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) durante la infancia permite identificar factores que condicionan el crecimiento y el desarrollo. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: a) describir la CVRS de niños con edades comprendidas entre 8,0 y 11,9 años que residían en la provincia de Tucumán; y b) analizar si la CVRS variaba en relación con factores macrosociales (calidad de vida departamental, residencia urbano-rural, nivel socioeconómico) e individuales (edad y sexo). Población y métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, transversal en escolares de los departamentos de Yerba Buena y Simoca. Se aplicó el cuestionario KIDSCREEN-52 para medir dimensiones de CVRS y las pruebas t de Student, análisis de la varianza y regresión logística multivariada para el análisis según factores macrosociales e individuales. Resultados: Se analizaron 1647 encuestas. Los escolares de menor edad y los varones, en general, tuvieron una mejor percepción de su salud. Los residentes en Yerba Buena presentaron puntuaciones medias significativamente más bajas en la dimensión recursos económicos, comparados con los de Simoca (45,3 vs. 46,7, p: 0,01). No hubo asociación entre el nivel socioeconómico y la CVRS. Los niños rurales puntuaron más bajo en la mayoría de las dimensiones, con diferencias significativas en autopercepción (51,3 vs. 53,0, p: 0,01) y estado de ánimo (43,2 vs. 44,5, p: 0,03). Conclusiones: La salud percibida de los niños de Yerba Buena y Simoca varió en relación a aspectos macrosociales e individuales. En Yerba Buena, la percepción de los recursos económicos fue peor respecto de Simoca. En general, las apreciaciones de los niños urbanos fueron más favorables que las de los rurales. Los varones y los escolares de menor edad percibieron mejor su salud.

Introduction: The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during childhood favors the identification of factors that affect growth and development. The objectives of this study were: a) to describe the HRQoL in children between 8.0 and 11.9 years old living in the Province of Tucuman; and b) to assess whether the HRQoL varies in relation to macrosocial (quality of life in the department, urban/rural household, socioeconomic status) and individual (age and sex) factors. Population and methods: Quantitative and cross-sectional study among students from the departments of Yerba Buena and Simoca. The KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire was administered to measure the HRQoL dimensions, and Student" s t tests, analysis of variance and multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the data according to macrosocial and individual factors. Results: A total of 1647 surveys were analyzed. Younger students and of male sex, in general, had a better perception of their health. Yerba Buena residents had mean scores that were significantly lower in the financial resources dimension, as compared to residents of Simoca (45.3 vs. 46.7, p: 0.01). There was no association between the socioeconomic status and the HRQoL. Children from rural areas had the lowest scores in most dimensions, with significant differences in selfperception (51.3 vs. 53.0, p: 0.01) and mood (43.2 vs. 44.5, p: 0.03). Conclusions: Perceived health of children from Yerba Buena and Simoca varied in relation to macrosocial and individual factors. In Yerba Buena, the perception of financial resources was worse than in Simoca. In general, the opinion of children from urban areas was more favorable than that of children from rural areas. Younger students and of male sex had a better perception of their health status.

Perceived health and its relation with macrosocial and individual factors in children from two departments of Tucumán, Argentina. / Salud percibida y su relación con factores macrosociales e individuales en niños de dos departamentos de Tucumán, Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during childhood favors the identification of factors that affect growth and development. The objectives of this study were: a) to describe the HRQoL in children between 8.0 and 11.9 years old living in the Province of Tucuman; and b) to assess whether the HRQoL varies in relation to macrosocial (quality of life in the department, urban/rural household, socioeconomic status) and individual (age and sex) factors. POPULATION AND METHODS: Quantitative and cross-sectional study among students from the departments of Yerba Buena and Simoca. The KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire was administered to measure the HRQoL dimensions, and Student" s t tests, analysis of variance and multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the data according to macrosocial and individual factors. RESULTS: A total of 1647 surveys were analyzed. Younger students and of male sex, in general, had a better perception of their health. Yerba Buena residents had mean scores that were significantly lower in the financial resources dimension, as compared to residents of Simoca (45.3 vs. 46.7, p: 0.01). There was no association between the socioeconomic status and the HRQoL. Children from rural areas had the lowest scores in most dimensions, with significant differences in selfperception (51.3 vs. 53.0, p: 0.01) and mood (43.2 vs. 44.5, p: 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Perceived health of children from Yerba Buena and Simoca varied in relation to macrosocial and individual factors. In Yerba Buena, the perception of financial resources was worse than in Simoca. In general, the opinion of children from urban areas was more favorable than that of children from rural areas. Younger students and of male sex had a better perception of their health status.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El estudio de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) durante la infancia permite identificar factores que condicionan el crecimiento y el desarrollo. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: a) describir la CVRS de niños con edades comprendidas entre 8,0 y 11,9 años que residían en la provincia de Tucumán; y b) analizar si la CVRS variaba en relación con factores macrosociales (calidad de vida departamental, residencia urbano-rural, nivel socioeconómico) e individuales (edad y sexo). POBLACIÓN Y MÉTODOS: Estudio cuantitativo, transversal en escolares de los departamentos de Yerba Buena y Simoca. Se aplicó el cuestionario KIDSCREEN-52 para medir dimensiones de CVRS y las pruebas t de Student, análisis de la varianza y regresión logística multivariada para el análisis según factores macrosociales e individuales. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 1647 encuestas. Los escolares de menor edad y los varones, en general, tuvieron una mejor percepción de su salud. Los residentes en Yerba Buena presentaron puntuaciones medias significativamente más bajas en la dimensión recursos económicos, comparados con los de Simoca (45,3 vs. 46,7, p: 0,01). No hubo asociación entre el nivel socioeconómico y la CVRS. Los niños rurales puntuaron más bajo en la mayoría de las dimensiones, con diferencias significativas en autopercepción (51,3 vs. 53,0, p: 0,01) y estado de ánimo (43,2 vs. 44,5, p: 0,03). CONCLUSIONES: La salud percibida de los niños de Yerba Buena y Simoca varió en relación a aspectos macrosociales e individuales. En Yerba Buena, la percepción de los recursos económicos fue peor respecto de Simoca. En general, las apreciaciones de los niños urbanos fueron más favorables que las de los rurales. Los varones y los escolares de menor edad percibieron mejor su salud.

Malnutrition and body composition in urban and rural schoolchildren: A cross-sectional study in San Rafael, Mendoza (Argentina).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to analyze the nutritional status and body composition of children from San Rafael, Mendoza, avoiding urban and rural categorization by generating subpopulations as a function of their socio-environmental characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 3,596 schoolchildren from 4.0 to 13.9 years of age. Body weight, height, upper arm circumference, and triceps skinfold were measured. Body mass index, total muscle, and fat areas of the arm were calculated. To estimate nutritional status and body composition, the NHANES III reference was used. The socio-environmental variables were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. These variables were processed by categorical principal-component analysis (catPCA). RESULTS: The catPCA allowed the differentiation of four groups, three with urban characteristics (high urban, medium urban, impoverished urban), and a rural group. Stunting occurred at a higher rate in the impoverished urban group, and the occurrence of underweight children was higher in the rural group. The prevalence of excess weight varied in the range of 20-26%. The latter value corresponded to children of the high urban group, who also did not show reduced muscle mass. CONCLUSION: Children from San Rafael presented differences in nutritional condition and body composition associated with pronounced socio-environmental heterogeneity. Thus, we could observe a gradient from the "high urban" group, with better social, economic, and sanitation conditions and at the same time a more obesogenic environment to the "impoverished urban" and "rural" groups, whose vulnerability reflected a higher prevalence of child undernutrition and the association with excess weight and reduced muscle mass. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:796-803, 2016. © 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Weight and height percentiles calculated by the LMS method in Argentinean schoolchildren. A comparative references study.

BACKGROUND: The Argentinean population is characterized by ethnic, cultural and socio-economic diversity. AIM: To calculate the percentiles of weight-for-age (W/A) and height-for-age (H/A) of schoolchildren from Argentina employing the LMS method; and to compare the obtained percentiles with those of the international and national references. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Anthropometric data of 18 698 students (8672 girls and 10 026 boys) of 3-13 years old were collected (2003-2008) from Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chubut, Jujuy, La Pampa and Mendoza. Percentiles of W/A and H/A were obtained with the LMS method. Statistical and graphical comparisons were established with the WHO (international reference) and with that published by the Argentinean Paediatric Society (national reference). RESULTS: Differences in W/A and H/A, regarding the references, were negative and greater at the highest percentiles and in most of the age groups. On average, the differences were greater for boys than girls and for national than international references. CONCLUSION: The distribution of weight and height of schoolchildren, coming from most regions of the country, differs from those of national and international references. It should be advisable to establish a new national reference based on internationally recognized methodological criteria that adequately reflect the biological and cultural diversity of the Argentinean populations.

Sobrepeso y obesidad en escolares de Brandsen en relación a las condiciones socioambientales de residencia / Overwweight and obesity in schoolchildren from Brandsen and its relationship with socio environmental characteristics of residence

Introducción. Los factores socioambientales desempeñan un papel esencial en la etiología del sobrepeso (S) y la obesidad (O) y constituyen elllamado “entorno obesogénico”. Los objetivos del presente trabajo son: a) estimar las prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad en escolares de 3 a 14 años del partido de Brandsen (Provincia deBuenos Aires) y b) analizar la probabilidad de ocurrencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en relación a las condiciones socioambientales de residencia. Población y métodos. Se relevaron peso y talla de 989 escolares, de ambos sexos, de 3-14 años de edad. Se determinaron S y O según los criterios de la International Obesity Task Force. Las prevalencias fueron comparadas entre sexos y edades. Los datos socioambientales, obtenidos apartir de encuestas, fueron procesados mediante Análisis de Componentes Principales (catPCA). Se empleó un Modelo Lineal Generalizado (link logit) para las variables S y O. Resultados. El 15,8% de los escolares presentó S yel 7,2% O, encontrándose diferencias estadísticas no significativas entre sexos y edades. El primer eje del análisis catPCA, discriminó con valorespositivos los casos que presentaron las mejores condiciones socioambientales y negativos las más desfavorables. Hubo mayor probabilidad de niños obesos asociada a condiciones socioambientalesadecuadas (mayor nivel educativo depadres, mayores ingresos y mejor acceso a servicios públicos), en tanto que se observó mayor probabilidad de niños con sobrepeso asociada a ambientes menos favorecidos. Conclusiones. Se concluye que la población escolar de Brandsen presenta elevadas prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad. La probabilidad de presentar sobrepeso es mayor en los niñosprovenientes de hogares con condiciones socioambientalesdesfavorables. La obesidad, en cambio, lo es en aquellos hogares que reúnencondiciones socioambientales favorables.

Introduction. Environmental factors play an important role in the etiology of overweight (S) and obesity (O), constituting the "obesogenic environment”. The objectives of the present study are: a) to estimate overweight and obesity prevalences in 3 to 14 years-old schoolchildrenfrom Brandsen (Provincia de Buenos Aires), and b) to analyze the probability of occurrence of overweight and obesity in relation to the socioenvironmentalconditions of resident. Population and methods. Weight and height were measured in 989 boys and girls aged 3 to 14 years. S and O were estimated following the criteria suggested by the International Obesity Task Force. The prevalences of S and O were compared between genders and ages. The socio-environmental information was gatheredaccording to surveys and processed by Categorical Principal Components Analysis (catPCA). Generalized Linear Model (link logit) against the variables S and O was employed. Results. S was found in 15,8% of schoolchildren and O in 7,2%. None significative statisticsdifferences between both genders and ages, were found. The first axis of the catPCA discriminated the cases that presented better socio-environmental conditions with positive values and those with more unfavorable conditions with negatives values. Higher probability of obese children was associated with better socio-environmental conditions (higher educational level of parents, higherincome and better access to public services), and higher probability of overweight children was associated with less favored environments.Conclusions. The schoolchildren population of Brandsen presents high overweight and obesity prevalences. The chance of presenting overweight is higher in children from householdswith adverse socio-environmental conditions. On the contrary, obese children are to be more found in households which have more favorablesocio-environmental conditions.

Sobrepeso y obesidad en escolares de Brandsen en relación a las condiciones socioambientales de residencia / Overwweight and obesity in schoolchildren from Brandsen and its relationship with socio environmental characteristics of residence

Introducción. Los factores socioambientales desempeñan un papel esencial en la etiología del sobrepeso (S) y la obesidad (O) y constituyen elllamado ¶entorno obesogénico÷. Los objetivos del presente trabajo son: a) estimar las prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad en escolares de 3 a 14 años del partido de Brandsen (Provincia deBuenos Aires) y b) analizar la probabilidad de ocurrencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en relación a las condiciones socioambientales de residencia. Población y métodos. Se relevaron peso y talla de 989 escolares, de ambos sexos, de 3-14 años de edad. Se determinaron S y O según los criterios de la International Obesity Task Force. Las prevalencias fueron comparadas entre sexos y edades. Los datos socioambientales, obtenidos apartir de encuestas, fueron procesados mediante Análisis de Componentes Principales (catPCA). Se empleó un Modelo Lineal Generalizado (link logit) para las variables S y O. Resultados. El 15,8% de los escolares presentó S yel 7,2% O, encontrándose diferencias estadísticas no significativas entre sexos y edades. El primer eje del análisis catPCA, discriminó con valorespositivos los casos que presentaron las mejores condiciones socioambientales y negativos las más desfavorables. Hubo mayor probabilidad de niños obesos asociada a condiciones socioambientalesadecuadas (mayor nivel educativo depadres, mayores ingresos y mejor acceso a servicios públicos), en tanto que se observó mayor probabilidad de niños con sobrepeso asociada a ambientes menos favorecidos. Conclusiones. Se concluye que la población escolar de Brandsen presenta elevadas prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad. La probabilidad de presentar sobrepeso es mayor en los niñosprovenientes de hogares con condiciones socioambientalesdesfavorables. La obesidad, en cambio, lo es en aquellos hogares que reúnencondiciones socioambientales favorables.(AU)

Introduction. Environmental factors play an important role in the etiology of overweight (S) and obesity (O), constituting the "obesogenic environment÷. The objectives of the present study are: a) to estimate overweight and obesity prevalences in 3 to 14 years-old schoolchildrenfrom Brandsen (Provincia de Buenos Aires), and b) to analyze the probability of occurrence of overweight and obesity in relation to the socioenvironmentalconditions of resident. Population and methods. Weight and height were measured in 989 boys and girls aged 3 to 14 years. S and O were estimated following the criteria suggested by the International Obesity Task Force. The prevalences of S and O were compared between genders and ages. The socio-environmental information was gatheredaccording to surveys and processed by Categorical Principal Components Analysis (catPCA). Generalized Linear Model (link logit) against the variables S and O was employed. Results. S was found in 15,8% of schoolchildren and O in 7,2%. None significative statisticsdifferences between both genders and ages, were found. The first axis of the catPCA discriminated the cases that presented better socio-environmental conditions with positive values and those with more unfavorable conditions with negatives values. Higher probability of obese children was associated with better socio-environmental conditions (higher educational level of parents, higherincome and better access to public services), and higher probability of overweight children was associated with less favored environments.Conclusions. The schoolchildren population of Brandsen presents high overweight and obesity prevalences. The chance of presenting overweight is higher in children from householdswith adverse socio-environmental conditions. On the contrary, obese children are to be more found in households which have more favorablesocio-environmental conditions.(AU)

[Overweight and obesity in schoolchildren from Brandsen and its relationship with socio-environmental characteristics of residence]. / Sobrepeso y obesidad en escolares de Brandsen en relación a las condiciones socioambientales de residencia.

INTRODUCTION: Environmental factors play an important role in the etiology of overweight (S) and obesity (O), constituting the "obesogenic environment". The objectives of the present study are: a) to estimate overweight and obesity prevalences in 3 to 14 years-old schoolchildren from Brandsen (Provincia de Buenos Aires), and b) to analyze the probability of occurrence of overweight and obesity in relation to the socioenvironmental conditions of resident. POPULATION AND METHODS: Weight and height were measured in 989 boys and girls aged 3 to 14 years. S and O were estimated following the criteria suggested by the International Obesity Task Force. The prevalences of S and O were compared between genders and ages. The socio- environmental information was gathered according to surveys and processed by Categorical Principal Components Analysis (catPCA). Generalized Linear Model (link logit) against the variables S and O was employed. RESULTS: S was found in 15,8% of schoolchildren and O in 7,2%. None significative statistics differences between both genders and ages, were found. The first axis of the catPCA discriminated the cases that presented better socio-environmental conditions with positive values and those with more unfavorable conditions with negatives values. Higher probability of obese children was associated with better socio-environmental conditions (higher educational level of parents, higher income and better access to public services), and higher probability of overweight children was associated with less favored environments. CONCLUSIONS: The schoolchildren population of Brandsen presents high overweight and obesity prevalences. The chance of presenting overweight is higher in children from households with adverse socio-environmental conditions. On the contrary, obese children are to be more found in households which have more favorable socio-environmental conditions.

Physical growth in schoolchildren from Argentina: comparison with Argentinean and CDC/NCHs growth references.

The aim of this study was to assess the physical growth of schoolchildren from Argentina by comparison with the CDC/NCHS and Argentinean growth references (AGR), to contribute to the discussion about the use of local or international references for the assessment of growth in developing countries. Weight and height were measured in 3,411 schoolchildren aged 5-14 years. Data were log-transformed and compared with both references by paired samples t-test (CI = 0.95; alpha = 0.005). The boys' weights were greater than CDC/NCHS (up to 10, and at 14 years old) and the national reference at all ages (P < 0.005). The girls also were heavier than CDC/NCHS (at 7 and 12 years old, P < 0.005) and AGR, except at age 11 and 14 years. In boys, height was lower than CDC/NCHS at 9 and 14 years of age, and higher than AGR at all ages (P < 0.005). The girls were also shorter than CDC/NCHS at 7, 13, and 14 years old (P < 0.005), and-except at age 14-taller than AGR. The weight was higher than both of the references. Height showed a clear dissociation from the national reference and minor differences from CDC/NCHS. Nevertheless, around puberty, the children's height fell short of CDC/NCHS, especially the girls, whose values approached those of their Argentinean peers. This divergence could be associated with cohort effects or population variations in adolescent growth spurt. The use of a single growth reference for preadolescent may be appropriate. The height decrease in adolescents suggests the usefulness of local standards at this period.

Socioenvironmental conditions and nutritional status in urban and rural schoolchildren.

We analyzed the nutritional status of urban and rural schoolchildren from Mendoza (Argentina), but avoided rural and urban categorization by generating subpopulations as a function of their socioenvironmental characteristics. We transformed weight and height data into z-scores using the CDC/NCHS growth charts; defined underweight, stunting, and wasting by z-scores of less than -2 SD; and calculated overweight and obesity, according to the cutoff proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. Socioenvironmental characteristics included housing, public services, parental resources, and farming practices; we processed these variables by categorical principal-component analysis. The two first axes defined four subgroups of schoolchildren: three of these were associated with urban characteristics, while the remaining subgroup was considered rural. Nutritional status differed across groups, whereas overweight was similar among the groups and obesity higher in urban middle-income children. Urban differences were manifested mainly as underweight, but rural children exhibited the greatest stunting and wasting. Thus, the negative effects of environment on nutritional status in children are not restricted to poor periurban and rural areas, though these are indeed unfavorable environments for growth: some urban families provide children with sufficient quantity and diversity of foods to expose them to obesity. By contrast, the more affluent urban families would appear to have greater possibilities for allowing their children to adopt a healthy life-style. Although the causes of differences in nutritional status between middle- and high-income urban groups are not clear, these determinants probably involve economic as well as educational influences.

[Nutritional status and body composition of poor children in the outlying neighborhoods of La Plata, Argentina]. / Estado nutricional y composición corporal de niños pobres residentes en barrios periféricos de La Plata, Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate nutritional status and body composition as indicators of quality of life among poor children served by neighborhood soup kitchens in La Plata, Argentina. METHODS: From April to November 2004, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 608 healthy children from 1-11 years of age who were being served by two neighborhood soup kitchens in the outlying areas of the city of La Plata. The sample was stratified by age and sex. Height-for-age, weight-for age, and weight-for-height, were measured, as well as BMI, muscle mass and adipose tissue. Z-scores were computed for the data. Odds ratios and the respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Prevalence of low weight-for-age was 9%; low weight-for-height, 3%; and low height-for-age, 15%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 12.5% and 7.1%, respectively. Among the study sample, 47.2% had low muscle mass and 20.4% had low adipose tissue. Among overweight and obese children, adipose tissue was 34.3% higher than that of the reference population, while muscle mass was 12.5% lower. CONCLUSIONS: Undernutrition and obesity are both found among the community of children studied. The high prevalence of delayed growth (i.e., low height-for-age), undernutrition (i.e., low weight-for-age), and the acute lack of muscle mass even among overweight and obese children, seem to be part of the consequences of an inevitable process that unfolds in the face of adverse living conditions.

Estado nutricional y composición corporal de niños pobres residentes en barrios periféricos de La Plata, Argentina / Nutritional status and body composition of poor children in the outlying neighborhoods of La Plata, Argentina

OBJETIVOS: Evaluar el estado nutricional y la composición corporal, como indicadores de la calidad de vida, en niños pobres que concurren a comedores comunitarios de La Plata, Argentina. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal entre abril y noviembre de 2004 con 608 niños y niñas sanos de 1 a 11 años de edad que asistían a dos comedores barriales ubicados en la periferia de la ciudad de La Plata, Argentina. La muestra se estratificó según la edad y el sexo de los participantes. Se determinó la talla para la edad, el peso para la edad y el peso para la talla, así como el índice de masa corporal, el área muscular y el área adiposa. Los datos se transformaron a puntuaciones z. Se calcularon la razón de posibilidades (odds ratio) y sus respectivos intervalos de confianza de 95 por ciento. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de peso bajo para la edad fue de 9,0 por ciento, la de peso bajo para la talla fue de 3,0 por ciento y la de talla baja para la edad de 15,0 por ciento. Las prevalencias de sobrepeso y obesidad fueron de 12,5 por ciento y 7,1 por ciento, respectivamente. En esta población, 47,2 por ciento presentó déficit de masa muscular y 20,4 por ciento tenía déficit de masa adiposa. En los niños con sobrepeso y obesidad, el área adiposa fue 34,3 por ciento mayor que la de la población de referencia; en contraste, el área muscular fue 12,5 por ciento menor. CONCLUSIONES: En las comunidades infantiles estudiadas coexisten la desnutrición y el sobrepeso. La elevada prevalencia de retraso en el crecimiento (talla baja para la edad) y desnutrición global (peso bajo para la edad) y la grave reducción de la masa muscular, aun en niños con sobrepeso u obesidad, parecen ser consecuencias de un proceso adaptativo inevitable frente a las condiciones adversas de vida.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate nutritional status and body composition as indicators of quality of life among poor children served by neighborhood soup kitchens in La Plata, Argentina. METHODS: From April to November 2004, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 608 healthy children from 1-11 years of age who were being served by two neighborhood soup kitchens in the outlying areas of the city of La Plata. The sample was stratified by age and sex. Height-for-age, weight-for age, and weight-for-height, were measured, as well as BMI, muscle mass and adipose tissue. Z-scores were computed for the data. Odds ratios and the respective 95 percent confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Prevalence of low weight-for-age was 9 percent; low weight-for-height, 3 percent; and low height-for-age, 15 percent. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 12.5 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively. Among the study sample, 47.2 percent had low muscle mass and 20.4 percent had low adipose tissue. Among overweight and obese children, adipose tissue was 34.3 percent higher than that of the reference population, while muscle mass was 12.5 percent lower. CONCLUSIONS: Undernutrition and obesity are both found among the community of children studied. The high prevalence of delayed growth (i.e., low height-for-age), undernutrition (i.e., low weight-for-age), and the acute lack of muscle mass even among overweight and obese children, seem to be part of the consequences of an inevitable process that unfolds in the face of adverse living conditions.

Growth of functional cranial components in rats submitted to intergenerational undernutrition.

The aim of the present study was to discover how intergenerational undernutrition affects the growth of major and minor functional cranial components in two generations of rats. Control animals constituted the parental generation (P). The undernourished generations (F1 and F2) were fed 75% of the control diet. Animals were X-rayed every 10 days from 20 to 100 days of age. The length, width and height of the major (neurocranium and splanchnocranium) and minor (anterior-neural, middle-neural, posterior-neural, otic, respiratory, masticatory and alveolar) cranial components were measured on each radiograph. Volumetric indices were calculated to estimate size variations of these components. Data were processed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests for two samples. Impairment in splanchnocranial and neurocranial growth was found, the latter being more affected than the former in F1. Comparison between F2 and F1 animals showed cumulative effects of undernutrition in both major and minor components (anterior-neural, respiratory, masticatory and alveolar in males, and middle-neural and respiratory in females). Such differential effects on minor components may reflect a residual mechanical strain resulting from the linkage between components. This phenomenon was clearly observed in the neurocranium and could be understood as an adaptive response to the demands of the associated functional matrices.