Brain structural parameters correlate with University Selection Test outcomes in Chilean high school graduates.

How well students learn and perform in academic contexts is a focus of interest for the students, their families, and the entire educational system. Although evidence has shown that several neurobiological factors are involved in scholastic achievement (SA), specific brain measures associated with academic outcomes and whether such associations are independent of other factors remain unclear. This study attempts to identify the relationship between brain structural parameters, and the Chilean national University Selection Test (PSU) results in high school graduates within a multidimensional approach that considers socio-economic, intellectual, nutritional, and demographic variables. To this end, the brain morphology of a sample of 102 students who took the PSU test was estimated using Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Anthropometric parameters, intellectual ability (IA), and socioeconomic status (SES) were also measured. The results revealed that, independently of sex, IA, gray matter volume, right inferior frontal gyrus thickness, and SES were significantly associated with SA. These findings highlight the role of nutrition, health, and socioeconomic variables in academic success.

A multifactorial approach of nutritional, intellectual, brain development, cardiovascular risk, socio-economic, demographic and educational variables affecting the scholastic achievement in Chilean students: An eight- year follow-up study.

The aim of this study was to quantitate the relative impact of nutritional, intellectual, brain development, cardiovascular risk, socio-economic, demographic and educational variables on the results of the 2009 Quality Education Measurement System (SIMCE) tests of language and mathematics for scholastic achievement (SA) applying a multifactorial approach, in school-age children of the 2010 5th elementary school grade (5ESG) and of the 1st grade of high school (1HSG). The purposes were: i) to test the hypothesis that intellectual ability, the level of SA of the educational establishments in the 2009 SIMCE tests, sex, parental schooling levels, and head circumference-for-age Z-score are the most relevant parameters associated with 2009 SIMCE outcomes; ii) to determine the predictive ability of the 2009 SIMCE results in determining the 2013 SIMCE outcomes for the 2010 5ESG cohort (when they graduated from elementary school, 8th grade) and for determining the 2013 University Selection Test (PSU) outcomes for the 2010 1HSG group (for university admission, when they graduated from high school, 4th grade); iii) to determine the association between the 2009 SIMCE results with the 2017 PSU outcomes for the 2010 5ESG group (for university admission, when they graduated from high school, 4th grade). A representative, proportional and stratified sample of 33 schools of the Metropolitan Region of Chile was randomly chosen. In these schools, 1,353 school-age children of both sexes, of the 2010 5ESG (n = 682; mean age = 10.8 years, SD = 0.6) and of the 2010 1HSG (n = 671; mean age = 14.8 years, SD = 0.6) participated. In both grades and tests, the findings confirm the hypotheses formulated. 2009 SIMCE outcomes were positively and significantly associated with 2013 SIMCE and with 2017 PSU and, with 2013 PSU outcomes in school-age children from 2010 5ESG and 1HSG, respectively. These findings may be useful for educational and health planning in Chile and countries in a comparable stage of development.

Impact of anthropometric nutritional parameters on the university selection test in Chile: A multifactorial approach.

OBJECTIVES: Scholastic achievement (SA) is a multifactorial problem that depends on factors related to the child, the child's family, and the educational system. The aim of this study was to quantify the relative impact of significant variables at the beginning of high school during 2010 (first grade of high school [1 HSG]) on 2013 university selection test (Prueba de Seleccion Universitaria [PSU]) outcomes, both in language scholastic achievement (LSA) and mathematics scholastic achievement (MSA), when students graduated from high school (4 HSG). This was done at the time of university admission with a multicausal approach. The purpose was to confirm the hypothesis that the level of educational establishment SA, intellectual ability, sex, parental schooling levels, and head circumference for age Z-score at the onset of high school are the most relevant parameters associated with 2013 PSU outcomes, both in LSA and MSA. METHODS: A representative, proportional, and stratified sample of 671 children of both sexes who enrolled in 1 HSG in 2010 (mean age: 14.8 ± 0.6 y) participated in the study. Nutritional, intellectual, brain developmental, cardiovascular risk, socio-to-economic, demographic, and educational variables were quantitated. SA was assessed at 4 HSG with the 2013 PSU tests. Data were analyzed with SAS software. RESULTS: Educational establishment SA, intellectual ability, maternal schooling, and age Z-score were the most relevant parameters to explain LSA (R2 = 0.493; P < 0.0001) and MSA variance in addition to sex (male), but only in MSA (R2 = 0.600; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the hypothesis and can be useful to support nutritional, health, and educational planning.

Docosahexaenoic acid levels in erythrocytes and their association with the University Selection Test Outcomes in Chile.

The aim of this study was to quantitate the relative impact of DHA and AA levels in erythrocytes, anthropometric parameters and socio-economic status of school-age children, of both genders, graduated from high school in Chile, on the scholastic achievement in the University Selection Test (Prueba de Selección Universitaria, PSU) both language scholastic achievement (LSA) and mathematics scholastic achievement (MSA). A representative sample of 671 school-age young graduated from high school in 2013, 550 and 548 of them took the PSU for LSA and MSA, respectively. Only school-age young with high (n = 91) and low (n = 69) SA in both tests were considered. A total of 122 school-age children agreed to participate in the study and were divided as follows: Group 1: high PSU outcome (n = 70; males n = 48) and Group 2: low PSU outcome (n = 52; males n = 23). Data were analyzed by means of SAS software. Independently of gender, DHA, socio-economic status and head circumference-for-age Z-score were the most relevant parameters explaining both LSA (R2 = 0.650; p < 0.0001) and MSA outcomes (R2 = 0.700; p < 0.0001). These results can be useful for nutrition, health and education planning, in order to protect children starting from an early age and thus increase their school outcomes.

Overnutrition and Scholastic Achievement: Is There a Relationship? An 8-Year Follow-Up Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the association between overnutrition and scholastic achievement (SA). METHODS: A representative and proportional sample of 477 children of the 5th elementary school grade of both genders was randomly chosen during 2010, in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. SA was measured through the 2009 Education Quality Measurement System (SIMCE) tests of language (LSA), mathematics (MSA) and understanding of the natural environment (UNESA). Current nutritional status was assessed through the body mass index Z-score (Z-BMI). Nutritional quality of diet, schedule exercise, socioeconomic status, family, and educational variables were also recorded. Four and 8 years later, SA was assessed through the 2013 SIMCE and the University Selection Test (2017 PSU), respectively. RESULTS: Socioeconomic status, the number of repeated school years, and maternal schooling were strong predictors of 2009 SIMCE and the independent variables with the greatest explanatory power for LSA (Model R2 = 0.178; p < 0.00001) variances, besides of gender for MSA (Model R2 = 0.205; p< 0.00001) and UNESA (Model R2 = 0.272; p < 0.00001). Overnourished children did not have significantly lower 2009 and 2013 SIMCE and 2017 PSU outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that overnourished children did not achieve significantly lower SA.

Morphological characteristics of Street Workout practitioners.

INTRODUCTION: The determination of the morphological characteristics of the most popular sports has allowed the evaluation and comparison between athletes, which has helped to improve their performance. The Street Workout is an emerging sport based on calisthenics, which recently has become popular. Despite its popularization, neither the morphologic profile nor the morphologic characteristics of Street Workout athletes has been determined. OBJECTIVE: Determine the profile and morphological characteristics of Street-Workout athletes, through anthropometry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourteen athletes (22.7 ± 3.26 years) were recruited from the National Calisthenics Tournament 2015 in Chile. The athletes were evaluated following the protocol of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry to determine the somatotype, body composition, as well as indices of body composition such as body mass index, waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio, fat/muscle mass and muscle/bone mass indexes. RESULTS: Street Workout practitioners presented a balanced-mesomorphic somatotype, a low fat mass and a high muscular development, with upper arms and trunk predominance. Regarding body composition indices, the values obtained allow us to classify them as a low-risk population of chronic non-communicable diseases. CONCLUSION: The present study sets a first antecedent of the morphological characteristics of Street Workout, determining that the Street Workout athletes presented balanced-mesomorphic somatotype and were classified as a healthy and athletic sample by their body composition indexes.

Morphological characteristics of Street Workout practitioners / Características morfológicas de practicantes de Street Workout

Introduction: The determination of the morphological characteristics of the most popular sports has allowed the evaluation and comparison between athletes, which has helped to improve their performance. The Street Workout is an emerging sport based on calisthenics, which recently has become popular. Despite its popularization, neither the morphologic profile nor the morphologic characteristics of Street Workout athletes has been determined. Objective: Determine the profile and morphological characteristics of Street-Workout athletes, through anthropometry. Material and methods: Fourteen athletes (22.7 ± 3.26 years) were recruited from the National Calisthenics Tournament 2015 in Chile. The athletes were evaluated following the protocol of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry to determine the somatotype, body composition, as well as indices of body composition such as body mass index, waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio, fat/muscle mass and muscle/bone mass indexes. Results: Street Workout practitioners presented a balanced-mesomorphic somatotype, a low fat mass and a high muscular development, with upper arms and trunk predominance. Regarding body composition indices, the values obtained allow us to classify them as a low-risk population of chronic non-communicable diseases. Conclusion: The present study sets a first antecedent of the morphological characteristics of Street Workout, determining that the Street Workout athletes presented balanced-mesomorphic somatotype and were classified as a healthy and athletic sample by their body composition indexes (AU)

Introducción: la determinación de las características morfológicas de los deportes más populares ha permitido la evaluación y comparación entre los atletas, lo que ha contribuido a mejorar su rendimiento. El street workout (ejercicio callejero) es un deporte emergente basado en ejercicios de calistenia, el cual ha ido ganando popularidad en los últimos años. A pesar de su masificación, aún no ha sido determinado el perfil morfológico ni las características morfológicas de los atletas de street workout. Objetivo: determinar las características y el perfil morfológico de los atletas de street workout mediante antropometría. Material y métodos: catorce atletas (22,7 ± 3,26 años de edad promedio) fueron reclutados del Torneo Nacional de Calistenia del año 2015 en Chile. Los atletas fueron evaluados siguiendo el protocolo de la Sociedad Internacional para el Avance de la Kineantropometría para determinar el somatotipo, la composición corporal, así como también índices de composición corporal tales como el índice de masa corporal, cintura/cadera, cintura/talla masa grasa/músculo y músculo/masa ósea. Resultados: los atletas de street workout evaluados presentaron un somatotipo mesomórfico balanceado, una baja masa grasa y un alto desarrollo muscular, con dominancia en miembros superiores y tronco. Respecto a los índices de composición corporal, los valores obtenidos permiten clasificar a este grupo de atletas como una población de bajo riesgo de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Conclusión: el presente estudio sienta el primer antecedente de las características morfológicas del street workout, estableciendo que los atletas evaluados presentan un somatotipo mesomórfico equilibrado, siendo clasificados como una muestra atlética y saludable por sus índices de composición corporal (AU)

Somatotipo y composición corporal de la selección de fútbol masculino universitario de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, campeona los años 2012 y 2013 / Somatotype and body composition of the male university soccer team at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, champions 2012-2013

El objetivo del presente estudio es determinar el somatotipo y la composición corporal de la selección masculina de fútbol universitario bicampeona del año 2013 y realizar la comparación de éstos entre posiciones de juego y con otras poblaciones de futbolistas. Se realizó una evaluación kineantropométrica a trece jugadores de la selección masculina de fútbol de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) 2013, utilizando el perfil completo del protocolo de la Sociedad Internacional para el Avance de la Kineantropometría (ISAK). Las mediciones se realizaron en pretemporada. Se determinó que el somatotipo de la selección masculina de fútbol de la PUCV 2013 corresponde a Endo-Mesomorfo (3,5­5,6­1,7). Los valores de composición corporal promedio de la selección de fútbol PUCV fueron 25,81% de masa grasa, 47,41% de masa muscular, 10,68% de masa ósea, 5,07% de masa piel y 11,03% de masa residual. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en los resultados expuestos en las diferentes posiciones en el campo de juego, con respecto a somatotipo, composición corporal y variables kineantropométricas analizadas (valor p >0,05). El perfil somatotípico de la selección masculina de fútbol de la PUCV 2013 es Endo-Mesomorfo, resultado similar al encontrado en otro estudio realizado en futbolistas universitarios. En cuanto a la composición corporal se observó que los porcentajes de tejido muscular y óseo se encuentran dentro de los rangos aceptables, mientras que el tejido graso se encuentra elevado respecto a otras poblaciones de futbolistas profesionales y universitarios.

The objective of this study was to determine the somatotype and body composition of the male university soccer team at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV) and then compare them, according to playing positions and other soccer populations. Thirteen players of the university soccer team at PUCV underwent a kineanthropometric evaluation, using the full profile of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) protocol. The measures were performed in the 2013 pre-season. The somatotype of the male soccer team at PUCV corresponds to endomorphic-mesomorph (3.5­5.6­1.7). The average values of the body composition of the soccer team were 25.81% of fat mass, 47.41% of muscle mass, 10.68% of bone mass, 5.07% of skin mass and 11.03% of residual mass. No significant differences were observed among different playing positions with respect to the somatotype, for either body composition or any kineanthropometric variables analyze (p value >0.05). The somatotypical profile of the male university soccer team at PUCV is endo-mesomorphic, which is in accordance to a similar study conducted on university soccer players in Mexico. According to body composition, it was observed that the percentages of muscle and bone mass are in the acceptable ranges, while fat mass is elevated compared to other professional populations as well as other university soccer players.

Elección del modelo de proporcionalidad antropométrica en una población deportista; comparación de tres métodos / Anthropometric proportionality method election in a sport population; comparison of three methods

Introducción: la aplicación de modelos de proporcionalidad, basados en proporciones ideales, tendría un gran impacto en el deporte de alto rendimiento, debido a que los mejores deportistas tienden a asemejarse antropométricamente. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio es comparar los métodos de proporcionalidad antropométrica: Phantom, Combinado y Escalable, en los campeones chilenos de fútbol masculino universitario de los años 2012 y 2013, ocupando como población de criterio a futbolistas profesionales sudamericanos, con el fin de encontrar el método de proporcionalidad más adecuado para poblaciones de deportistas. Metodología: se realizó la evaluación de 22 variables kineantropométricas, según el protocolo ISAK, a una muestra constituida por 13 jugadores pertenecientes a la selección masculina de fútbol de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Se obtuvieron los valores Z de cada variable antropométrica de los diferentes métodos, usando sus fórmulas respectivas. Se usó como población de criterio a los futbolistas profesionales sudamericanos. Resultados: se observó una tendencia semejante entre los tres métodos. Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) en los valores Z de los métodos Escalable y Combinado, respecto al método Phantom. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los resultados obtenidos por los métodos Combinado y Escalable, excepto en los perímetros radiocarpiano, cadera y muslo. Conclusión: se propone la utilización del método Escalable sobre el método Combinado y Phantom para realizar la comparación de valores Z en variables kineantropométricas en deportistas de la misma disciplina (AU)

Introduction: the proportionality model application, based on ideal proportions, would have a great impact on high performance sports, due to best athletes to resemble anthropometrically. Objective: the objective of this study was to compare the following anthropometric methods of proportionality: Phantom, Combined and Scalable, in male champion university Chilean soccer players in 2012 and 2013, using South American professional soccer players as criterion, in order to find the most appropriate proportionality method to sports populations. Method: the measerement of 22 kinanthropometric variables was performed, according to the ISAK protocol, to a sample constituted of 13 members of the men’s soccer team of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. The Z-values of the anthropometrics variables of each method were obtained using their respective equations. It was used as criterion population South American soccer players. Results: a similar trend was observed between the three methods. Significant differences (p <0.05) were found in some Z-values of Scalable and Combined methods compared to Phantom method. No significant differences were observed between the results obtained by the Combined and Scalable methods, except in wrist, thigh and hip perimeters. Conclusion: it is more appropriate to use the Scalable method over the Combined and Phantom methods for the comparison of Z values in kinanthropometric variables in athletes of the same discipline (AU)

[ANTHROPOMETRIC PROPORTIONALITY METHOD ELECTION IN A SPORT POPULATION; COMPARISON OF THREE METHODS]. / ELECCIÓN DEL MODELO DE PROPORCIONALIDAD ANTROPOMÉTRICA EN UNA POBLACIÓN DEPORTISTA; COMPARACIÓN DE TRES MÉTODOS.

INTRODUCTION: the proportionality model application, based on ideal proportions, would have a great impact on high performance sports, due to best athletes to resemble anthropometrically. OBJECTIVE: the objective of this study was to compare the following anthropometric methods of proportionality: Phantom, Combined and Scalable, in male champion university Chilean soccer players in 2012 and 2013, using South American professional soccer players as criterion, in order to find the most appropriate proportionality method to sports populations. METHOD: the measerement of 22 kinanthropometric variables was performed, according to the ISAK protocol, to a sample constituted of 13 members of the men's soccer team of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. The Z-values of the anthropometrics variables of each method were obtained using their respective equations. It was used as criterion population South American soccer players. RESULTS: a similar trend was observed between the three methods. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in some Z-values of Scalable and Combined methods compared to Phantom method. No significant differences were observed between the results obtained by the Combined and Scalable methods, except in wrist, thigh and hip perimeters. CONCLUSION: it is more appropriate to use the Scalable method over the Combined and Phantom methods for the comparison of Z values in kinanthropometric variables in athletes of the same discipline.

Introducción: la aplicación de modelos de proporcionalidad, basados en proporciones ideales, tendría un gran impacto en el deporte de alto rendimiento, debido a que los mejores deportistas tienden a asemejarse antropométricamente. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio es comparar los métodos de proporcionalidad antropométrica: Phantom, Combinado y Escalable, en los campeones chilenos de fútbol masculino universitario de los años 2012 y 2013, ocupando como población de criterio a futbolistas profesionales sudamericanos, con el fin de encontrar el método de proporcionalidad más adecuado para poblaciones de deportistas. Metodología: se realizó la evaluación de 22 variables kineantropométricas, según el protocolo ISAK, a una muestra constituida por 13 jugadores pertenecientes a la selección masculina de fútbol de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Se obtuvieron los valores Z de cada variable antropométrica de los diferentes métodos, usando sus fórmulas respectivas. Se usó como población de criterio a los futbolistas profesionales sudamericanos. Resultados: se observó una tendencia semejante entre los tres métodos. Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) en los valores Z de los métodos Escalable y Combinado, respecto al método Phantom. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los resultados obtenidos por los métodos Combinado y Escalable, excepto en los perímetros radiocarpiano, cadera y muslo. Conclusión: se propone la utilización del método Escalable sobre el método Combinado y Phantom para realizar la comparación de valores Z en variables kineantropométricas en deportistas de la misma disciplina.

Scheduled physical activity is associated with better academic performance in Chilean school-age children.

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to examine the association between systematic physical activity and academic performance in school kids after controlling for potential sociodemographic and educational confounders. METHODS: In a random sample of 1271 students from urban Santiago, attending 5th and 9th grade, who took the 2009 System for the Assessment of Educational Quality (SIMCE) tests, we measured physical activity habits, anthropometric characteristics, and socioeconomic status. Academic performance was measured by the standardized SIMCE tests. Logistic regressions assessed the relationship between the allocation of time to weekly scheduled exercise, potential confounding factors, and individual academic performance. RESULTS: About 80% of students reported less than 2 hours of weekly scheduled exercise, while 10.6% and 10.2% reported 2 to 4 hours/week and more than 4 hours/week, respectively. Devoting more than 4 hours/week to scheduled exercise significantly increased (P < .01) the odds of having SIMCE composite z-scores ≥ 50th percentile (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4 to 3.6) and ≥ 75th percentile (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3-3.3). CONCLUSIONS: Better academic performance was associated with a higher allocation of time to scheduled exercise in school-age children.

Brain development and scholastic achievement in the Education Quality Measurement System tests in Chilean school-aged children.

BACKGROUND: Head circumference (HC), the anthropometric index of both brain development and nutritional background, has been described to be significantly associated with scholastic achievement (SA). The aim of this study was to determine the impact of nutritional background and current nutritional status parameters on SA in the Education Quality Measurement System (SIMCE) tests. METHODS: A representative sample of 33 schools was randomly chosen in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. The sample consisted of 1,353 school-aged children of both sexes, from the fifth grade of elementary school and from the first grade of high school who in 2009 took the SIMCE tests. Nutritional status was assessed through anthropometric parameters. Brain development was measured through the HC expressed as HC-for-age Z-score (Z-HC). RESULTS: Students with Z-HC < -2 SD and >2 SD obtained low and high SA, respectively, both in the language and the mathematics tests (P < 0.001). In general, in both grades, those students with Z-HC ≥ 0 SD increase more than double the probability to obtain language and mathematics SA scores ≥ the median (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: We confirm the hypothesis that HC is the most relevant physical index associated with SA; therefore, children with the lowest scores in the SIMCE tests probably have lower brain development.

Somatotype and intellectual ability (Raven Progressive Matrices Test) in Chilean school-age children.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between somatotype and intellectual ability (IA) in 11-12 and 15-16 year-old students (n = 1,015) in the Chile's Metropolitan Region from a representative sample of 33 educational establishments chosen at random. METHODS: The Heath-Carter somatotype and the IA assessed through the Raven Progressive Matrices Test were measured. RESULTS: The endomorph was observed in 59% of the students; 28% had a mesomorph and 13% ectomorph. The IA was distributed in: 11.2% Grade I, 26.8% Grade II, 41% Grade III, 17.6% Grade IV and 3.2% Grade V. A positive and significant correlation of IA with the endomorphic component (r = 0.074, p = 0.02) was found in the total sample and only in females (r = 0.109, p = 0.02); at the same time, a positive and significant correlation with the ectomorph component was also observed (r = 0.067, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that other variables would influence more strongly the IA for which further research is needed to quantitate this multifactorial problem.

Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la relación entre el somatotipo y la habilidad intelectual (HA) en estudiantes de 11-12 y 15-16 años de edad de la Región Metropolitana, Chile. Métodos: Se registró una muestra representativa de 1.015 escolares de acuerdo a los resultados del sistema de medición de la calidad de la educación (SIMCE) 2009. Se evaluó el somatotipo de Heath-Carter y la HA de acuerdo al Test de Matrices Progresivas de Raven. Resultados: Un 59% presentó un somatotipo endomórfico, 28% mesomórfico y 13% ectomorfo. La HA se distribuyó en: 11,2% Grado I, 26,8% Grado II, 41% Grado III, 17,6% Grado IV y 3,2% Grado V. Se presenta una correlación significativa positiva con el componente endomórfico (r = 0,074 p = 0,02), y sólo en mujeres (r = 0,109 p = 0,02), a la vez se observa una relación significativa positiva con el componente ectomorfo (r = 0,067 p < 0,05). Conclusiones: Esto sugiere que otras variables estarían influyendo más fuertemente en la HA, además de apoyar la no discriminación por biotipo en los establecimientos educacionales.

Somatotype and intellectual ability (Raven progressive matrices test) in Chilean school-age children / Somatotipo y capacidad intelectual (prueba de matrices progresivas de Raven) en escolares chilenos

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between somatotype and intellectual ability (IA) in 11-12 and 15-16 year-old students (n = 1,015) in the Chile's Metropolitan Region from a representative sample of 33 educational establishments chosen at random. METHODS: The Heath-Carter somatotype and the IA assessed through the Raven Progressive Matrices Test were measured. RESULTS: The endomorph was observed in 59% of the students; 28% had a mesomorph and 13% ectomorph. The IA was distributed in: 11.2% Grade I, 26.8% Grade II, 41% Grade III, 17.6% Grade IV and 3.2% Grade V. A positive and significant correlation of IA with the endomorphic component (r = 0.074, p = 0.02) was found in the total sample and only in females (r = 0.109, p = 0.02); at the same time, a positive and significant correlation with the ectomorph component was also observed (r = 0.067, p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that other variables would influence more strongly the IA for which further research is needed to quantitate this multifactorial problem (AU)

Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la relación entre el somatotipo y la habilidad intelectual (HA) en estudiantes de 11-12 y 15-16 años de edad de la Región Metropolitana, Chile. Métodos: Se registró una muestra representativa de 1.015 escolares de acuerdo a los resultados del sistema de medición de la calidad de la educación (SIMCE) 2009. Se evaluó el somatotipo de Heath-Carter y la HA de acuerdo al Test de Matrices Progresivas de Raven. Resultados: Un 59% presentó un somatotipo endomórfico, 28% mesomórfico y 13% ectomorfo. La HA se distribuyó en: 11,2% Grado I, 26,8% Grado II, 41% Grado III, 17,6% Grado IV y 3,2% Grado V. Se presenta una correlación significativa positiva con el componente endomórfico (r = 0,074 p = 0,02), y sólo en mujeres (r = 0,109 p = 0,02), a la vez se observa una relación significativa positiva con el componente ectomorfo (r = 0,067 p < 0,05). Conclusiones: Esto sugiere que otras variables estarían influyendo más fuertemente en la HA, además de apoyar la no discriminación por biotipo en los establecimientos educacionales (AU)

Impact of nutritional status at the onset of elementary school on academic aptitude test achievement at the end of high school in a multicausal approach.

Like in many other countries, few investigations have been carried out in Chile to measure the long-term effects of nutritional status at an early age on scholastic achievement in a multicausal approach. The objectives of the present study were to describe the impact of nutritional, intellectual, family, educational and socio-economic variables at the onset of elementary school in 1987 that may affect achievement on the academic aptitude test (AAT) taken in 1998 at the end of high school, and to quantify the impact of these independent variables on the AAT. The present study comprises two cross-sectional stages: in 1987, a representative sample of 813 elementary school first-grader Chilean children from the Metropolitan Region was randomly chosen; in 1998, 12 years later, 632 school-age children were located and only 351 of them graduated from high school and, from these, 260 students took the AAT. In 1987 nutritional status was assessed through anthropometric parameters, intellectual ability by the Raven's Progressive Matrices Test, scholastic achievement through Spanish language and mathematics tests, and socio-economic status using Graffar's modified scale; family variables were also recorded. Maternal schooling, scholastic achievement, intellectual ability and head circumference-for-age z-score (anthropometric indicator of both nutritional background and brain development) all in 1987 were the independent variables with the greatest explanatory power for AAT variance in 1998 (r2 0.402). These results provide a foundation to identify the risk factors at an early age that affect AAT scores and should be useful to improve nutritional and educational policies.

Chilean school-age children twin registry: planning, sampling and implications.

We describe subject recruitment from the University of Chile School-Age Children Twin Registry (REMEUCHI). The research aim of REMEUCHI is to quantify the impact of genetic and environmental factors on scholastic achievement in a multicausal approach. The Ministry of Education of Chile, in collaboration with the Registry Office, provided the list of possible twin pairs graduated from high school in 2004 in Chile's metropolitan region. From a population of 70,065 school-age children who had graduated from high school, 434 possible twin pairs were analyzed. Of these, 327 were twins reared together (75.3% of the 434 possible twins pairs) and born between 1986 and 1987 in Chile (mean age 18 years), and approximately 8% were not twins despite matches on full name and birth data. The rest of the possible twin pairs were probably twins reared apart, since one member of the pair had moved to study in another region of Chile. Zygosity was determined through questionnaires, maternal reports of twin similarities, and by the hospital records of the twins at the time of birth. Three hundred and twenty-seven pairs were identified, where monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins represented 46.8% and 53.2% of pairs, respectively, with a DZ/MZ ratio of 1.14. Considering same-sex MZ pairs, the percentage of female pairs was greater (55.6%) than male pairs (44.4%). When DZ pairs were analyzed, 47.7% were of opposite sex, 20.1% were male pairs and 32.2% female pairs. In Chile, these findings represent a baseline study to contribute to the establishment of a national twin registry in the future.

Head size and intelligence, learning, nutritional status and brain development. Head, IQ, learning, nutrition and brain.

This multifactorial study investigates the interrelationships between head circumference (HC) and intellectual quotient (IQ), learning, nutritional status and brain development in Chilean school-age children graduating from high school, of both sexes and with high and low IQ and socio-economic strata (SES). The sample consisted of 96 right-handed healthy students (mean age 18.0 +/- 0.9 years) born at term. HC was measured both in the children and their parents and was expressed as Z-score (Z-HC). In children, IQ was determined by means of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults-Revised (WAIS-R), scholastic achievement (SA) through the standard Spanish language and mathematics tests and the academic aptitude test (AAT) score, nutritional status was assessed through anthropometric indicators, brain development was determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and SES applying the Graffar modified method. Results showed that microcephalic children (Z-HC < or = 2 S.D.) had significantly lower values mainly for brain volume (BV), parental Z-HC, IQ, SA, AAT, birth length (BL) and a significantly higher incidence of undernutrition in the first year of life compared with their macrocephalic peers (Z-HC > 2S.D.). Multiple regression analysis revealed that BV, parental Z-HC and BL were the independent variables with the greatest explanatory power for child's Z-HC variance (r(2) = 0.727). These findings confirm the hypothesis formulated in this study: (1) independently of age, sex and SES, brain parameters, parental HC and prenatal nutritional indicators are the most important independent variables that determine HC and (2) microcephalic children present multiple disorders not only related to BV but also to IQ, SA and nutritional background.

Nutritional status, brain development and scholastic achievement of Chilean high-school graduates from high and low intellectual quotient and socio-economic status.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the inter-relationships between nutritional status (past and current nutrition), brain development, and scholastic achievement (SA) of Chilean high-school graduates from high and low intellectual quotient (IQ) and socio-economic status (SES) (mean age 18.0 (SD 0.9) years). Results showed that independently of SES, high-school graduates with similar IQ have similar nutritional, brain development and SA variables. Multiple regression analysis between child IQ (dependent variable) and age, sex, SES, brain volume (BV), undernutrition during the first year of life, paternal and maternal IQ (independent variables) revealed that maternal IQ (P<0.0001), BV (P<00387) and severe undernutrition during the first year of life (P<0.0486), were the independent variables with the greatest explanatory power for child IQ variance (r2 0.707), without interaction with age, sex or SES. Child IQ (P<0.0001) was the only independent variable that explained both SA variance (r2 0.848) and academic aptitude test variance (r2 0.876) without interaction with age, sex or SES. These results confirm the hypotheses formulated for this study that: (1) independently of SES, high-school graduates with similar IQ have similar variables of nutritional status, brain development and SA; (2) past nutritional status, brain development, child IQ and SA are strongly and significantly inter-related. These findings are relevant in explaining the complex interactions between variables that affect IQ and SA and can be useful for nutritional and educational planning.