Reference values for bone mass in young athletes: a cross-sectional study in São Paulo, Brazil.

Reference values for bone mass in young athletes need to be used for screening purposes, and country/regional reference values should be used to improve precision of comparisons. The aim of the present study was to develop reference values for bone health variables in Brazilian young athletes. The bone mass content (BMC), bone mass density (BMD), and total body less head (TBLH) BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were measured in 702 young athletes (327 men and 375 women) aged 8.5-18.5 years, divided into 5 groups, according to their age: group 1 (8.5-10.5 years), group 2 (10.6-12.5 years), group 3 (12.6-14.5 years), group 4 (14.6-16.5 years), and group 5 (16.6-18.5 years). Comparisons between the sexes and ages were performed and age-sex-smoothed reference values were constructed. Male athletes presented high BMC and BMD than female athletes in age groups 3, 4, and 5 (p < 0.005) and high TBLH BMD than female athletes in age groups 4 and 5 (p < 0.005). Reference values, including the percentiles are presented for the bone health variables of each sex and age group. The age-, sex-, and ethnic-specific reference data for bone variables presented in this study enabled more precise reference data for young Brazilian athletes. These data may assist in monitoring changes during an athletes' growth and different phases of athletic training.

Adolescent female handball players present greater bone mass content than soccer players: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a systemic disease affecting half of women over the age of 50 years. Considering that almost 90% of peak of bone mass is achieved until the second decade of life, ensuring a maximal bone mineral content acquisition may compensate for age-associated bone loss. Among several other factors, physical activity has been recommended to improve bone mass acquisition. However, it is unknown whether athletes involved with sports with different impact loading characteristics differ in regards to bone mass measurements. AIM: To compare the bone mass content, bone mass density and lean mass of young female soccer players (odd-impact loading exercise), handball players (high-impact loading exercises) and non-athletes. METHODS: A total of 115 female handball players (15.5 ± 1.3 years, 165.2 ± 5.6 cm and 61.9 ± 9.3 kg) and 142 soccer players (15.5 ± 1.5 years, 163.7 ± 6.6 cm and 56.5 ± 7.7 kg) were evaluated for body composition using a dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry system, and 136 female non-athletes (data from NHANES) (15.1 ± 1.32 years, 163.5 ± 5.8 cm and 67.2 ± 19.4 kg) were considered as the control. RESULTS: Handball players presented higher bone mass content values than soccer players for upper limbs (294.8 ± 40.2 g and 270.7 ± 45.7 g, p < 0.001), lower limbs (1011.6 ± 145.5 g and 967.7 ± 144.3 g, p = 0.035), trunk (911.1 ± 182.5 g and 841.6 ± 163.7 g, p = 0.001), ribs (312.4 ± 69.9 g and 272.9 ± 58.0 g, p < 0.001), spine (245.1 ± 46.8 g and 222.0 ± 45.1 g, p < 0.001) and total bone mass (2708.7 ± 384.1 g and 2534.8 ± 386.0 g, p < 0.001). Moreover, non-athletes presented lower bone mass content for lower limbs (740.6 ± 132.3 g, p < 0.001), trunk (539.7 ± 98.6 g, p < 0.001), ribs (138.2 ± 29.9 g, p < 0.001), pelvis (238.9 ± 54.6 g, p < 0.001), spine (152.8 ± 26.4 g, p < 0.001) and total bone mass (1987.5 ± 311.3 g, p < 0.001) than both handball and soccer players. Handball players also presented higher bone mass density values than soccer players for trunk, ribs and spine (p < 0.05) and handball and soccer players presented higher bone mass density than non-athletes for all measurements (p < 0.005). Finally, the non-athletes' lower limb lean mass was lower than soccer and handball players values (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adolescent females engaged in handball training for at least one year present higher bone mass contents than those who are engaged in soccer training, which, in turn, present higher bone mass contents than non-athletes. These results might be used by physicians and healthcare providers to justify the choice of a particular sport to enhance bone mass gain in female adolescents.

ALLERGIC PROCTOCOLITIS IN INFANTS: analysis of the evolution of the nutritional status.

BACKGROUND: Allergic proctocolitis is a disease that affects infants in the first months. The change in feed is the primary factor for clinical improvement and maintenance of the nutritional status of the infant. OBJECTIVE: Study the anthropometric evolution of infants with allergic proctocolitis at diagnosis and 1 to 6 months after nutritional intervention. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of infants with allergic proctocolitis diagnosis followed at the Pediatric Gastroenterology Institute of São Paulo (IGASTROPED), Brazil. The database with clinical, therapeutic and anthropometric data was obtained from medical records of outpatient infants. The therapeutic intervention was characterized by 1) exclusive breastfeeding with maternal exclusion diet of the six allergens (EBF-MED) or 2) no breastfeeding and use of hypoallergenic formulas. RESULTS: Of the 44 infants diagnosed with allergic proctocolitis, 23 were female. The median age of the infants was 3.5 months at the time of admission and 6 months after the intervention. The main clinical complaint was hematochezia with or without other symptoms of allergic proctocolitis. No difference was shown in the infants anthropometric evaluation between the two diets. CONCLUSION: The duration of the allergic proctocolitis did not induce worsening of the infants nutritional status. Importantly, both nutritional interventions were able to keep the infants within the growth channel and resulted in the total clinical symptoms remission. Considering the fundamental mother-child link promoted by breastfeeding, the present data highlights the beneficial role of EBF-MED on the nutritional status of infants diagnosed with allergic proctocolitis in addition to the lower cost that breastfeeding brings compared the use of hypoallergenic formulas.

PREVALENCE OF GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY FOR CELIAC DISEASE IN BLOOD DONORS IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL.

BACKGROUND: Celiac disease is a permanent intolerance induced by gluten, which is expressed by T-cell mediated enteropathy, and has a high prevalence in the general population. There is evidence of a strong genetic predisposition to celiac disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of genetic markers HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 in blood donors from São Paulo and measure human recombinant tissue transglutaminase antibody IgA class in HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 positive donors. METHODS: A total of 404 blood donors from São Paulo city and Jundiaí were included in the study and signed the informed consent form. Information regarding diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain in the last 3 months was collected. Determination of HLADQ2 and HLADQ8 alleles was performed in all participants and human recombinant tissue transglutaminase antibody class IgA was measured only in blood donors who presentedDQ2 and/or DQ8. RESULTS: HLADQ2 and/or HLADQ8 were positive in 49% (198/404) of subjects. Positive samples were associated with alleles DR3, DR4, DR7, DR11 and DR12. The most frequent genotype was DR4-DQ8, which was present in 13.6% of samples, followed by genotypes DR3-DQ2 and DR7-DQ2 with DQB1*02 in heterozygous, which were present in 10.4% and 8.7%, respectively. Eleven out of 198 positive donors (5%) were positive to human tissue transglutaminase test. CONCLUSION: We observed a high prevalence of genetic markers for celiac disease, HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, in blood donors from São Paulo, similar to prevalence described in Europe. These findings show that the prevalence of celiac disease should not be rare in our country, but underdiagnosed.

Financial cost of the admissions for simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant in a Brazilian hospital.

PURPOSE: To perform a cost analysis of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) in a Brazilian hospital. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2011, 105 consecutive SPKTs at the Hospital of Kidney and Hypertension in Sao Paulo were evaluated. We evaluated the patient demographics, payment source (public health system or supplementary system), and the impact of each hospital cost component. The evaluated costs were corrected to December 2011 values and converted to US dollars. RESULTS: Of the 105 SPKT patients, 61.9% were men, and 38.1% were women. Eight patients died, and 97 were discharged (92.4%). Eighty-nine procedures were funded by the public health system. The cost for the patients who were discharged was $18.352.27; the cost for the deceased patients was $18.449.96 (p = 0.79). The FOR for SPKT during this period was positive at $5,620.65. The costs were distributed as follows: supplies, 36%; administrative costs, 20%; physician fees, 15%; intensive care unit, 10%; surgical center, 10%; ward, 9%. CONCLUSION: Mortality did not affect costs, and supplies were the largest cost component.

Financial cost of the admissions for simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant in a Brazilian Hospital

PURPOSE: To perform a cost analysis of simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) in a Brazilian hospital. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2011, 105 consecutive SPKTs at the Hospital of Kidney and Hypertension in Sao Paulo were evaluated. We evaluated the patient demographics, payment source (public health system or supplementary system), and the impact of each hospital cost component. The evaluated costs were corrected to December 2011 values and converted to US dollars. RESULTS: Of the 105 SPKT patients, 61.9% were men, and 38.1% were women. Eight patients died, and 97 were discharged (92.4%). Eighty-nine procedures were funded by the public health system. The cost for the patients who were discharged was $18.352.27; the cost for the deceased patients was $18.449.96 (p = 0.79). The FOR for SPKT during this period was positive at $5,620.65. The costs were distributed as follows: supplies, 36%; administrative costs, 20%; physician fees, 15%; intensive care unit, 10%; surgical center, 10%; ward, 9%. CONCLUSION: Mortality did not affect costs, and supplies were the largest cost component. .

Avaliação nutricional de crianças com doença renal crônica / Nutritional status of children with chronic renal failure

OBJETIVO:Desnutrição constitui uma frequente complicação em crianças portadoras de doença renal, sendo a baixa estatura o principal sinal clínico. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o estado nutricional de crianças portadoras de doença renal por meio da antropometria. MÉTODOS:Estudo transversal que avaliou 21 (43 por cento) meninos e 28 (57 por cento) meninas, com idades entre 5,3 e 19,5 anos. As crianças foram divididas em três grupos, de acordo com o clearance (mL/min/1,73m2): Grupo 1, clearance >37 (n=19); Grupo 2, entre 15 e 37 (n=9) e Grupo 3 com clearance <15 (n=21). A partir do peso e da estatura, calcularam-se os seguintes indicadores: Peso/Idade (P/I), Estatura/Idade (E/I) e índice de massa corpórea (IMC) e obtiveram-se os escores Z respectivos. Escores Z menores que -2 foram considerados desnutrição. Os grupos foram comparados por ANOVA. RESULTADOS:Não se evidenciaram diferenças entre os grupos no que diz respeito aos dados antropométricos. 19 pacientes (38,8 por cento) apresentaram baixa estatura e 22 (44,8 por cento), baixo peso. Também não se observaram diferenças entre os grupos quando comparados pelos valores dos indicadores P/I, E/I e IMC. Os valores dos escores Z para os indicadores P/I, E/I e IMC foram: P/I - Grupo 1: -1,9±1,8; Grupo 2: -2,6±3,1; Grupo 3: -2,5±1,4 (p=0,47); E/I - Grupo 1: -1,5±1,2; Grupo 2: -2,3±1,8; Grupo 3: -2,1±1,1 (p=0,18) e IMC - Grupo 1: -1,2±1,4; Grupo 2: -1,7±3,9; Grupo 3: -1,6±1,3 (p=0,82). CONCLUSÕES: A amostra estudada apresentou alta prevalência de desnutrição. Mesmo considerando-se o estágio da doença, não se encontraram diferenças significativas entre os grupos.

OBJECTIVE:Malnutrition is a frequent complication among children with renal diseases. Short stature is the main clinical sign. The aim of this study is to analyze the nutritional status of children with renal disease using anthropometry. METHODS: This cross sectional study enrolled 21 (43 percent) boys and 28 (57 percent) girls with age ranging from 5.3 to 19.5 years. They were divided in three groups based on their creatinine clearance (mL/min/1.73m²): Group 1, >37 (n=19); Group 2, between 15 and 37 (n=9) and Group 3, <15 (n=21). Weight and height were obtained in order to calculate the following indexes: Weight/age (W/A), height/age (H/A) and body mass index (BMI); then, Z scores were obtained. Malnutrition was defined as Z scores below -2. ANOVA test was used to compare groups. RESULTS: There were no differences among the groups for anthropometric data. 19 patients (38.8 percent) presented short-stature and 22 (44.8 percent) low-weight. Z scores were similar among groups relative to W/A, H/A and BMI values. W/A Z score values were: Group 1: -1.9±1.8; Group 2: -2.6±3.1 and Group 3: -2.5±1.4 (p=0.47). H/A Z scores values were: Group 1: -1.5±1.2; Group 2: -2.3±1.8 and Group 3: -2.1±1.1 (p=0.18). The calculated BMI Z scores were: Group 1: -1.2±1.4; Group 2: -1.7±3.9 and Group 3: -1.6±1.3 (p=0.82). 19 children presented short stature and 22 presented low weight. There were no differences between the studied groups. CONCLUSIONS: The sample presented high prevalence of malnutrition. Even considering the disease stage, there were no nutritional differences between the studied groups.

[Anthropometric assessment of Kamayurá adolescents in the Upper Xingu, Central Brazil (2000-2001)]. / Avaliação antropométrica de adolescentes Kamayurá, povo indígena do Alto Xingu, Brasil Central (2000-2001).

Despite the proximity between indigenous groups in the Upper Xingu Region and Brazilian national society, studies have shown adequate weight-for-height and low height-for-age in indigenous children. Little is known about the nutritional status of indigenous adolescents. The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of Kamayurá adolescents. Anthropometric variables were collected from a sample of 65 adolescents (31 males and 34 females). Mean height was lower than both that of the Brazilian National Survey on Health and Nutrition and the reference population of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. There was a high rate of overweight in both males (38.7%) and females (23.5%), and one female adolescent was obese (2.9%). No overweight adolescent presented both the triceps and subscapular skinfolds above the 90th percentile. There were no cases of nutritional deficit among either male or female adolescents. Despite the high prevalence of overweight, the nutritional status of these adolescents is adequate, since the group presents low adiposity.

Avaliação antropométrica de adolescentes Kamayurá, povo indígena do Alto Xingu, Brasil Central (2000-2001) / Anthropometric assessment of Kamayurá adolescents in the Upper Xingu, Central Brazil (2000-2001)

Apesar da proximidade dos grupos indígenas do Alto Xingu com a sociedade, os estudos têm mostrado adequação do peso para estatura e déficit de estatura para idade das crianças desses povos. Em relação aos adolescentes, pouco se conhece sobre suas condições nutricionais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o estado nutricional de adolescentes Kamayurá, valendo-se de variáveis antropométricas. As medidas de peso, estatura, pregas cutâneas e circunferências corporais foram coletadas de 65 adolescentes, sendo 31 indivíduos masculinos e 34 femininos. As médias de estatura em relação à idade foram menores do que aquelas encontradas na Pesquisa Nacional sobre Saúde e Nutrição e na população de referência do National Center for Health Statistics. Houve taxa elevada de sobrepeso no sexo masculino (38,7 por cento) e no feminino (23,5 por cento); a obesidade foi encontrada em uma adolescente (2,9 por cento). Nenhum adolescente com sobrepeso apresentou ambas as pregas tricipital e subescapular acima do percentil 90. Não houve casos de déficit nutricional em adolescentes de ambos os sexos. Apesar da alta prevalência de sobrepeso, o estado nutricional dos adolescentes em estudo é adequado, dada a baixa adiposidade.

Despite the proximity between indigenous groups in the Upper Xingu Region and Brazilian national society, studies have shown adequate weight-for-height and low height-for-age in indigenous children. Little is known about the nutritional status of indigenous adolescents. The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of Kamayurá adolescents. Anthropometric variables were collected from a sample of 65 adolescents (31 males and 34 females). Mean height was lower than both that of the Brazilian National Survey on Health and Nutrition and the reference population of the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics. There was a high rate of overweight in both males (38.7 percent) and females (23.5 percent), and one female adolescent was obese (2.9 percent). No overweight adolescent presented both the triceps and subscapular skinfolds above the 90th percentile. There were no cases of nutritional deficit among either male or female adolescents. Despite the high prevalence of overweight, the nutritional status of these adolescents is adequate, since the group presents low adiposity.

Condições de nutrição em crianças Kamaiurá: povo indígena do Alto Xingu, Brasil Central / Nutrition status in Kamaiurá Indian children - Alto Xingu, Central Brazil

Este estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o estado nutricional, incluindo a prevalência de anemia, de crianças Kamaiurá, povo indígena do Alto Xingu, Brasil Central. Foram estudadas 112 crianças menores de dez anos de idade em 2000/2001. O perfil do crescimento infantil foi descrito segundo a distribuição dos índices altura/idade e peso/altura expressos em escore-z da população de referência do National Center of Health Statistics - NCHS. Os diagnósticos de déficit de altura e da relação peso/altura e o diagnóstico de obesidade corresponderam, respectivamente, aos valores abaixo de -2 escores-z de altura/idade e peso/altura e aos valores acima de 2 escores-z de peso/altura. O diagnóstico de anemia foi determinado a partir de concentrações de hemoglobina sérica inferiores a 11 g/dl para crianças entre seis meses e cinco anos de idade e inferiores a 11,5 g/dl para as crianças com idade entre cinco e dez anos incompletos, conforme recomendação da OMS. Aproximadamente um terço das crianças apresentou déficit de crescimento, enquanto déficit de peso/altura e obesidade não foram diagnosticados entre elas. A anemia esteve presente em mais da metade das crianças índias estudadas, 15 por cento delas apresentando anemia grave. Há necessidade de implementação de ações que visem a melhoria das condições socioambientais, de saúde e nutrição desse povo indígena.

In order to evaluate nutritional and anemic status, 112 Indian children (Kamaiurá), aged from 0 to 119.9 months, from the Alto Xingu region of central Brazil were studied in 2000/2001. The international growth reference - NCHS was used to evaluate height and weight, according to the child's age and gender. Growth deficit (stunting) and low weight status (wasting) were determined when height-for-age and weight-for-height indices were below _2 z scores, respectively, and obesity status when the weight-for-height index was above 2 z scores. Stunting was observed in 1/3 of the children and neither wasting nor obesity were observed. The anemic status was diagnosed by hemoglobin values below 11 g/dl for children from 6 to 59 months of age, and below 11.5 g/dl, for children from 60 to 119.9 months. About 50 percent of the Indian children were anemic and 15 percent were affected by severe anemia. There is a particular need to ensure efforts to implement environment, health and nutrition programs addressed to Kamaiurá children.

[Nutritional status and body composition of two South American native populations -- Alto Xingu and Ikpeng]. / Avaliação do estado nutricional e da composição corporal das crianças índias do Alto Xingu e da etnia Ikpeng.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the nutritional and body composition of two Brazilian indigenous populations by comparing their nutritional status. METHODS: 95 children from Alto Xingu and 69 from Ikpeng were evaluated, ages ranged from 24 to 117 months. The study was performed in the Xingu Indigenous Park. Data collected were: age, weight, height, skin folds, arm circumference, resistance and reactance. The z-scores were calculated and classified according to the parameters defined by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS 2000). Shortness was defined as length or stature below -2, underweight as body mass index below -2, and overweight as body mass index above 2. RESULTS: Among children from Alto Xingu, the prevalence of shortness was 8.4%, while among Ikpengs the prevalence was 37.7% (p < 0.001). Underweight was diagnosed in 12.5% of Ikpeng s children. Values of fat-free mass were greater for children from Alto Xingu and no case of obesity was found. CONCLUSION: In this study, Ikpeng's children showed higher incidences of short stature and low weight than the Altoxingu's children. Data regarding body composition have greater values among children from Alto Xingu, thus we conclude that nutritional status among children from Alto Xingu is better than the one found among the Ikpeng's children.

Avaliação do estado nutricional e da composição corporal das crianças índias do Alto Xingu e da etnia Ikpeng / Nutritional status and body composition of two South American native populations - Alto Xingu and Ikpeng

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o estado nutricional e a composição corporal de crianças índias das populações alto-xinguana e Ikpeng, comparando as populações. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos 95 crianças do Alto Xingu e 69 Ikpeng com idades entre 24 e 117 meses. Obtivemos dados sobre idade, peso, estatura, pregas cutâneas, circunferência do braço e impedância bioelétrica. Calculamos escores z para peso, estatura e estimativas da composição corporal. Tendo como referência o NCHS 2000, determinamos diagnóstico de baixo peso e baixa estatura como sendo inferior a -2 escores z para os indicadores peso/idade ou índice de massa corporal/idade e estatura/idade, respectivamente. Para obesidade, o ponto de corte foi 2 escores do indicador índice de massa corporal/idade. As massas corporais magra e gordurosa foram calculadas a partir de duas equações validadas na literatura. RESULTADOS: Diagnosticamos baixa estatura em 8,4 por cento das crianças do Alto Xingu e em 37,7 por cento das Ikpeng (p < 0,001). Baixo peso foi verificado apenas entre as crianças Ikpeng (12,5 por cento). Para os dados relativos à composição corporal, verificamos que as crianças do Alto Xingu apresentaram valores estimados de massa corporal magra superiores aos das crianças Ikpeng (p < 0,05). Na amostra estudada, nenhuma criança apresentou obesidade. CONCLUSÕES: Crianças Ikpeng apresentaram incidências de baixo peso e baixa estatura maiores do que a população do Alto Xingu. Quando a comparação ocorreu para valores relativos à composição corporal, crianças alto-xinguanas apresentaram valores maiores. Portanto, o estado nutricional observado entre as crianças alto-xinguanas foi melhor do que o das crianças Ikpeng, independentemente do critério utilizado, dentre os disponíveis neste estudo.

Aspectos clínicos e nutricionais dos transtornos alimentares

Artigo disponibilizado pelo periódico Psiquiatria na Prática Médica, do Departamento de Psiquiatria - UNIFESP/EPM. Aborda os aspectos nutricionais dos transtornos alimentares, suas repercussões clínicas e a conduta terapêutica.

Avaliação do estado nutricional das crianças índias do Alto Xingu / Evaluation of the nutritional status of Indian children from Alto Xingu, Brazil

Objetivo: determinar o estado nutricional e estimar a composição corporal de crianças índias do Parque Nacional do Xingu, associando antropometria e impedância bioelétrica.Casuística e métodos: foram avaliadas 164 crianças indias (89 meninas e 75 meninos), com idade desconhecida, por meio da antropometria e da mensuração da impedância bioelétrica. A partir das medidas de peso e estatura, chegou-se ao escore z do indicador de peso/estatura. Para as estimativas da composição corporal, foram utilizadas duas equações baseadas nos valores da resistência obtidos pela impedância bioelétrica. Os dados obtidos foram comparados com valores de referência internacionalmente aceitos.Resultados: a mediana do escore z do indicador peso/estatura foi 0,59 (meninos) e 0,46 (meninas) (p=0,27), respectivamente. No grupo estudado, apenas 1,8por cento apresentou escore z menor que -2desvios-padrão, e 3por cento apresentou escore z maior que 2 desvios-padrão. A média dos valores da resistência bioelétrica encontrados foram: 625,4 79,2 Ohms (meninas), e 588,8 68,9 Ohms (meninos) (p<0,01 ). Os valores percentuais da composição corporal calculados para meninas foram: 14,2por cento massa corporal gordurosa (MCG) e85,8por cento massa magra (MM) e 11,7por cento MCG e 88,3por cento MM. Para os meninos, obtiveram-se os seguintes valores: 14,9por cento MCG e 85,1por centoMM, e 10,3por cento MCG e 89,7por cento MM.Conclusões: os resultados mostram baixas taxas de desnutrição atual e obesidade, além de valores de composição corporal próximosdo esperado. Os dados obtidos pela impedância bioelétrica para composição corporal realçam a boa condição nutricional das crianças estudadas, o que nos leva..

[Evaluation of the nutritional status of Indian children from Alto Xingu, Brazil]. / Avaliação do estado nutricional das crianças índias do Alto Xingu.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional status and estimate body composition of Indian children from Xingu Indigenous Park (XIP), rain forest Amazon region, by using anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance (BI) tests. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-four Indian children (89 girls and 75 boys) of unknown age were evaluated by means of anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance. Weight and height were used to calculate z-score for weight-for-height (W/H) index. Two equations based on the resistance values obtained from the bioelectrical impedance were used to determine body composition. The values obtained were compared to standard reference. RESULTS: Z-score median for weigh-for-height index was 0.59 (boys) and 0.46 (girls) (P=0.27), respectively. Among the children studied only 1.8% showed z-score W/H <-2 standard deviations (SD), and 3% showed z-score W/H >2 SD. Mean resistance values were 625.4 +/- 79.2 Ohms (girls) and 588.8 +/- 68.9 Ohms (boys) (P<0.01). The percentage of body composition values obtained for girls were 14.2% fat mass (FM) and 85.8% fat-free mass (FFM), and 11.7% (FM) and 88.3% (FFM). The values for the boys were 14.9% (FM) and 85.1% (FFM), and 10.3% (FM) and 89.7% (FFM). CONCLUSIONS: There were low rates of obesity and malnutrition, what leads us to believe that the nutritional status among the Indian children from XIP has been kept in good standard along the last three decades, even under some degree of the Western culture influence. The Indians' body composition enhanced the good nutritional status among the studied population. BI played an important role in the estimation of body composition in this field study.