Analysis of anthropometric and physical performance variables in U-17 soccer players.

Introduction: Soccer is considered a multifaceted collective sport, and to reach an elevated level, players must have moderate to high power, good agility, joint flexibility and muscle development. Also, players must be able to generate high torques during fast movements, which implies the development of different capacities, understood as multifactorial preparation. The objective was to analyse the effects of training (aerobic and continuous) on the leg power, fatigue levels, speed, agility, body fat, muscle mass and bone mass of these players. Methods: Seventy-two soccer players, male and under 17, from 4 teams participated. The teams performed 3 times a week training sessions of about 60-90 min each. Informed consent requests were given to their parents for authorisation to participate in this investigation. Data was collected in two different time points, about ten months apart. Specific tests were performed for each variable: the vertical jump with Bosco System for leg power, the T-Test for agility, the linear sprint test for speed and the RAST test for fatigue levels. A precision Tanita scale was used for the anthropometric tests such as body fat, muscle mass and bone mass. Statistical procedures were applied through the Wilcoxon test to compare the two time points of evaluation. Results: Improvements were found between evaluations regarding the level of anthropometric and physical fitness variables. Conclusions: The implemented training improved all the analysed variables with significant statistical values for leg power, speed, bone mass, muscle mass and fat mass.

Prediction of blood pressure based on anthropometric measurements in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Recently, an important health issue in children is obesity, leading to hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine association of blood pressure with anthropometric variables in adolescents. METHODS: In this study, 1992 adolescents aged 11-18 years old between 2000 and 2007 were included. Cut point of anthropometric indices of waist circumference (WC), waist-to-stature ratio (WSR) and body mass index (BMI) was identified using Youden's index. RESULTS: Cut point of BMI for identification of hypertension was 19.69, 25.5, 20.65 and 24.13 for boys at middle and high school, girls at middle and high school, respectively. This measure for WSR was 0.44, 0.50, 0.45 and 0.517 for boys at middle and high school, girls at middle and high school, respectively. Regarding WC, it was 69.50, 96.5, 65.5 and 77.5 for boys at middle and high school, girls at middle and high school, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In middle school boys, WSR, WC and BMI are associated with DBP but by increasing age, only BMI and weight are associated with DBP. BMI is the consistent anthropometric determinant of DBP. We also observed the relationship between WSR and SBP in boys, which could be applied as a predictive measure.

Composición corporal y rendimiento deportivo en gimnastas de acrobática / Body composition and sports performance in acrobatic gymnasts

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las posibles relaciones entre diferentes aspectos de puntuación del ejercicio en competición y características antropométricas en un grupo de adolescentes de GA de la élite nacional en función de dos categorías diferentes. Estudio descriptivo y de corte transversal. La muestra ha estado compuesta por 39 adolescentes entre 11 y 19 años (14,9±2,39), de las categorías junior y senior. Se aplicó un cuestionario elaborado ad hoc donde se pedían datos sociodemográficos y deportivos, junto a la toma de medidas antropométricas peso, altura, perímetro de cintura y pliegues cutáneos tricipital, bicipital, suprailiaco, supraespinoso y el de la pantorrilla. Se encontraron asociaciones significativas entre el % de GC (suma del pliegue del tríceps y subescapular) con la nota de dificultad del ejercicio de EQ y COMB y de forma más moderada con la nota de dificultad y final del ejercicio DIN. Igualmente, el % de GC con la suma de los dos pliegues tricipital y el de la pantorrilla, demostró una asociación moderada con la nota final del ejercicio DIN y la nota de dificultad del ejercicio de EQ, así como la nota de dificultad del ejercicio DIN. Los portores presentan mayores valores en todas las medidas antropométricas frente a los ágiles; en cuanto al rendimiento, es superior en la categoría senior, obteniendo mejores puntuaciones en todas las variables analizadas y por último, existe asociación negativa entre el % GC y la puntuación en las notas de dificultad de todos los ejercicios, así como en la nota final del ejercicio DIN.

SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to analyse the possible relationships between different aspects of exercise score in competition and anthropometric characteristics in a group of national elite AG adolescents according to two different categories. Descriptive and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 39 adolescents aged between 11 and 19 years (14,9±2,39), from the junior and senior categories. An ad hoc questionnaire was administered asking for socio-demographic and sporting data, together with anthropometric measurements of weight, height, waist circumference and tricipital, bicipital, suprailiac, supraspinatus, supraspinatus and calf skinfolds. Significant associations were found between the % BF (sum of triceps and subscapularis skinfold) with the BAL and COMB exercise difficulty score and more moderately with the DYN exercise difficulty and end score. Similarly, the % of BF with the sum of the two tricipital and calf creases showed a moderate association with the final grade of the DYN exercise and the difficulty grade of the BAL exercise, as well as the difficulty grade of the DYN exercise. The bases present higher values in all anthropometric measures compared to the agile; in terms of performance, it is higher in the senior category, obtaining better scores in all the variables analysed and finally, there is a negative association between the % BF and the score in the difficulty grades of all the exercises, as well as in the final grade of the DYN exercise.

Handgrip as a measure of muscle strength and its physiological dependence on therapeutic variables: A randomized case.

Clinical and medical data findings have traditionally been more representative of male than female subjects, and when combined, have not clearly differentiated between the groups. In this study there were no research questions initially contemplated, as the data were obtained from an educational setting, where participants completed tasks as part of a pedagogical program of preparation. The nature of the post-hoc analysis renders the study as a hypothesis-generating type rather than a hypothesis-testing one. It began as a cross-sectional quantitative analysis of performance on a task to explore the relationship between hand grip and three independent physiological variables. The data collected from all subjects were randomized since the total group of participants contained a disproportionate number of females as compared to males, this being a result of a demographic predominance of female students in a program of teacher preparation. Graphical analysis with the slope taken as a measure of hand grip dependence on three independent variables, and the correlation value used as a measure of association between variables yielded discernible differences. The grip strength dependence on the hand size as well as the wrist thickness show consistently significant differences for females only, with t-test of significance (p < .001), and large effect size differences based on Cohen's d values of 3.08 and 1.92, respectively. The significance of the finding that female grip strength depends the most on wrist thickness has implications for rehabilitative and therapeutic settings.

Effects of a Community-Based Behavioral Intervention with a Traditional Atlantic Diet on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ("The GALIAT Study").

The Atlantic diet, the traditional dietary pattern in northern Portugal and northwest Spain, has been related to metabolic health and low ischemic heart disease mortality. The Galiat Study is a randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of the Atlantic diet on anthropometric variables, metabolic profile, and nutritional habits. The dietary intervention was conducted in 250 families (720 adults and children) and performed at a primary care center. Over six months, families randomized to the intervention group received educational sessions, cooking classes, written supporting material, and foods that form part of the Atlantic diet, whereas those randomized to the control group followed their habitual lifestyle. 213 families (92.4%) completed the trial. Adults in the intervention group lost weight as opposed to controls who gained weight (adjusted mean difference -1.1 kg, p < 0.001) and total serum cholesterol (adjusted mean difference -5.2 mg/dL, p = 0.004). Significant differences in favor of the intervention were found in other anthropometric variables and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but changes in triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, inflammation markers, blood pressure, and glucose metabolism were not observed. A family-based nutritional intervention based on the Atlantic diet showed beneficial effects on adiposity and the lipid profile.

Nutritional profile of cancer patients treated at an outpatient oncology center in the south region of Brazil

To evaluate the nutritional profile of cancer patients treated at an oncology center in South Brazil.This is a descriptive, exploratory and sectional study that was developed in a process that involved 100 patients aged between 18 and 75 years old, suffering from cancer.The anthropometric variables studied were weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), arm circumference (AC), arm muscle circumference (AMC),triceps skinfold (TSF) and corrected arm muscle area (cAMA). For subjective nutritional assessment, we used the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Nearly half of the patients evaluated had a critical need for nutritional intervention. There was a statistically significant association between cAMA and marital status, age and gender; between AC and age, gender and staging; between AMC and staging; between BMI and marital status and age; and between TSF and marital status. Patients diagnosed with IV stage had the lowest values for nutritional variables. There was no significant association between nutritional status of patients obtained by the PG-SGA instrument and sociodemographic characteristics. Malnutrition should be diagnosed as soon as possible,aiming at early intervention and improving survival and quality of life. Therefore, early nutritional assessment in cancer patients is required, combining subjective and objective methods.

Variable selection and importance in presence of high collinearity: an application to the prediction of lean body mass from multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance.

In prediction problems both response and covariates may have high correlation with a second group of influential regressors, that can be considered as background variables. An important challenge is to perform variable selection and importance assessment among the covariates in the presence of these variables. A clinical example is the prediction of the lean body mass (response) from bioimpedance (covariates), where anthropometric measures play the role of background variables. We introduce a reduced dataset in which the variables are defined as the residuals with respect to the background, and perform variable selection and importance assessment both in linear and random forest models. Using a clinical dataset of multi-frequency bioimpedance, we show the effectiveness of this method to select the most relevant predictors of the lean body mass beyond anthropometry.

Predicting the 2000-m Rowing Ergometer Performance from Anthropometric, Maximal Oxygen Uptake and 60-s Mean Power Variables in National Level Young Rowers.

Many studies reported various relationships between 2000-m rowing performance and anthropometric as well as metabolic variables, however, little is known about 60-s mean power in elite youth athletes. The aim of this study was to develop different regression models to predict 2000-m rowing indoor performance time (t2000) using anthropometric variables, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and mean power established during a 60-s all-out test (W60) in national elite youth rowers. Fifteen youth male Italian rowers (age: 15.7 ± 2.0 years; body height: 176.0 ± 8.0 cm; body mass: 71.2 ± 10.0 kg) performed an incremental maximal test, a 60-s all-out test and a 2000-m race simulation using a Concept2 rowing ergometer to assess VO2max, W60 and t2000, respectively. The relationships of all variables with t2000 were investigated through Pearson's correlation. Multiple regression analyses were used to verify the best prediction model of 2000-m indoor rowing performance. The reliability of these models was expressed by R2 and the standard error of estimate. The results showed that t2000 was significantly correlated with all the examined variables, except for VO2max/body mass and age, and exhibited the significantly highest relationship with W60 (r = -0.943). The combination of anthropometric, VO2max and W60 variables was found to be the most reliable equation to predict t2000 (R2 = 0.94, SEE = 6.4). W60 measure should be considered when monitoring the rower's capability to perform high-intensity phases, important during the race's fast start and end. Not requiring expensive equipment and long duration, a 60-s all-out test could be considered a valuable tool for predicting 2000-m performance of elite youth rowers.

Do the Same Central Anthropometric Variables that Best Predict Blood Pressure in European Americans also Best Predict Blood Pressure in African Americans?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if central anthropometric variables that best estimate blood pressure risks in European Americans also best estimate blood pressure risks in African Americans. Design: The participants were 357 normotensive African and European American volunteers with a mean age of 32.6 ± 12.4 years. Participants were evaluated for central adiposity with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, abdomen and thigh skinfolds, waist and hip circumferences, waist/hip ratio, waist/height ratio, body mass index, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Descriptive statistics, partial correlations, ANOVA and stepwise regressions were used to analyze the data. Results: Central adiposity anthropometric indices made different contributions to blood pressure in African and European American men and women. When weight was held constant, waist circumference shared stronger partial relationships with blood pressure in African Americans (r = .30 to .47) than in European Americans (r = .11 to .32). Waist circumference in combination with other indices was a predictor of systolic and diastolic blood pressures in European American men (P<.05) but only a predictor for diastolic blood pressure in African American men and women (P<.01). Hip circumference was the only predictor for systolic blood pressure (P<.01) in African American men and women. Conclusions: Further research on the relative contributions of central anthropometric indices to blood pressure in African and European Americans is warranted. A better understanding of this relationship may help reduce hypertensive morbidity and mortality disparities between African and European Americans.

Randomised simulation trial found an association between rescuers' height and weight and chest compression quality during paediatric resuscitation.

AIM: Our aim was to examine the relationship between rescuers' anthropometric data and chest compression quality during paediatric resuscitation training. METHODS: This study focused on 224 medical students (53% women) who performed 2 minutes of paediatric resuscitation at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria: 116 on a baby manikin and 108 on an adolescent manikin. Skill Reporter software measured chest compression quality by recording compression depth, frequency, hand position and complete recoil. The participants' height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. RESULTS: Participants with a lower BMI achieved higher total chest compression scores on both the baby and adolescent manikins than participants with a higher BMI. The latter were more likely to exceed the correct compression depth and not achieve complete chest recoil in the adolescent manikin. When it came to the baby manikin, the female participants achieved better chest recoil and the males achieved a higher number of compressions at the correct rate. Males also achieved better chest recoil with the adolescent manikins. Being tall only correlated with incomplete recoil in the adolescent manikin. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that anthropometric variables were associated with chest compression quality in paediatric patients and should be considered by future education programmes.

Grip and pinch strength: Reference values for children and adolescents from India.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to provide reference values for grip and pinch strength for healthy children and adolescents in India. METHODS: Grip and pinch strength were recorded for 900 participants stratified into 5 chronological age groups (5-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15 and 16-18 years). Grip strength was measured using a Jamar Dynamometer and pinch strength using a Martin vigorimeter. RESULTS: The difference in grip and pinch strength between age groups was significant (p< 0.001 respectively). A linear rise in grip strength was noted from age groups of 5-6 years to 16-18 years. Moderate to strong positive association was observed between grip and pinch strength and upper extremity anthropometric characteristics (i.e., palmar width, hand span, hand length, arm length, forearm length, and upper limb length) from age groups of 5-6 years to 16-18 years. Boys demonstrated greater grip and pinch strength compared to girls in all age groups (p< 0.001). No difference was observed between the dominant and non-dominant hand in all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the present study provide reference values for grip strength, tip to tip, key and tripod pinch for healthy Indian children and adolescents from 5-18 years of age, which will be useful to guide rehabilitation outcomes in routine clinical practice.

Quantity not composition of dietary fats represents the dominant contributor to experimental obesity: Relevance to human pathophysiology.

Plant fats are low in saturated fats but high in unsaturated fats compared to animal fats, and are supposedly less obesogenic. This study compared the obesogenic effects of plant and animal derived fatty diets in Wistar rats. Rats of each gender were divided into three dietary (standard chow (SC), high fat diet rich in animal fat (HFDaf) and a high fat diet rich in plant fat (HFDpf)) groups of ten each and fed for 17 weeks. Anthropometric, Adiposity and nutritive variables were assessed using standard methods. Comparing HFDpf to HFDaf: Abdominal circumference (AC),initial feed intaken (IFI), final feed intake(FFI), final body weight (FBW), white adipose tissue (WAT) were increased but brown adipose tissue (BAT) decreased in male rats fed with HFDpf; also, there were increased body length, IFI, FFI but decreased AC, FBW, BAT in female rats fed with HFDpf. Comparing male to female rats: Thoracic circumference, IFI, FFI, energy intake were increased while Adiposity index decreased across diet groups in male rats; the AC, FBW increased while WAT, BAT decreased in HFDpf fed group, also, BAT was increased but AC, FBW decreased in HFDaf fed group in male rats. Palatability and high feed efficiency of consumed diets were more associated with obesogenic risk than just the level of saturation. Therefore, Obesogenic effects of fatty diets in both genders is more dependent on the quantity (amount) of fatty diet consumed than the dietary fat composition alone.

Polimorfismo rs17817449 del gen FTO y su influencia en variables antropométricas de jóvenes chilenos / rs17817449 polymorphism of the fto gene and its influence on anthropometric variables of young Chileans

Determinar la distribución genotípica y la frecuencia alélica del polimorfismo rs17817449 del gen FTO en jóvenes chilenos y su influencia en variables antropométricas. Los 96 sujetos jóvenes (18-25 años), 43 hombres y 53 mujeres fueron evaluados utilizando genotipificación del polimorfismo rs17817449 del gen FTO en TT, TG y GG mediante polimerase chain reaction (PCR), además de una evaluación Kinenatropométrica para determinar las variables asociadas a composición corporal. Las variables fueron analizadas estadísticamente según su distribución paramétrica y el nivel de significancia estadística fue p<0,05. La distribución genotípica del polimorfismo rs17817449 de FTO en jóvenes chilenos fue: TT: 50 %; TG: 42,7 %; GG 7,3 % y la distribución alélica fue: T: 0,7105 y G: 0,2895. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las variables antropométricas al analizar los participantes según modelo de dominancia del alelo G. Se determinó la distribución genotípica y la frecuencia alélica del polimorfismo rs17817449 del gen FTO en jóvenes chilenos, datos desconocidos hasta este momento. De acuerdo a nuestros resultados, no existen diferencias antropométricas entre personas con diferentes genotipos del polimorfismo rs17817449 de FTO, agrupadas según modelo de dominancia del alelo G.

The rs17817449 polymorphism of the FTO gene in young Chileans and their influence on anthropometric variables. 96 young subjects (18-25 years old), 43 men and 53 women were evaluated using genotyping of the rs17817449 polymorphism of the FTO gene in TT, TG and GG by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in addition to a Kinenatropometric evaluation to determine the variables associated with body composition. The variables were analyzed statistically according to their parametric distribution and the level of statistical significance was p<0.05. The genotypic distribution of the FTO polymorphism rs17817449 in young Chileans was: TT: 50 %; TG: 42.7 %; GG 7.3 % and the allelic distribution was: T: 0.7105 and G: 0.2895. No statistically significant differences were found in the anthropometric variables when analyzing the participants according to model of dominance of the G allele. The genotypic distribution and the allelic frequency of the rs17817449 polymorphism of the gene were determined FTO in Chilean population, data unknown until now. According to our results, there are no anthropometric differences between people with different genotypes of the FTO polymorphism rs17817449, nor according to the dominance model of the G.

Características antropométricas y potencia de miembros inferiores en jugadores universitarios de rugby-7

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar las variables antropométricas y de potencia de miembros inferiores (PMI) en una muestra de jugadores de rugby-7 de diferentes posiciones. Participaron 22 jugadores universitarios clasificados de acuerdo con las posiciones ocupadas en el terreno de juego en back y forward. Para evaluar el porcentaje de grasa, se utilizó el protocolo de 7 pliegues cutáneos de Jackson & Pollock, y para las pruebas de PMI salto vertical (CMJ), salto horizontal y salto triple. Con el afán de comparar las variables del estudio, fue adoptado el test T para muestras pareadas, siendo el p < 0,05. Los resultados indicaron una diferencia significativa entre la masa total (t = , p < 0,01), la masa libre de grasa (p < 0,05), la masa adiposa (p < 0,01) y el CMJ (p < 0,005) entre los grupos. Se observa que las características antropométricas y neuromusculares para los forwards son distintas de las de los backs, debido a la posición de juego, que requiere una configuración morfológica y física distinta.

The objective of this study was to compare the anthropometric and lower limb power (PMI) variables in a sample of rugby-7 players holding different positions. Twenty-two rugby-7 college players participated; according to the positions occupied on the playing field, they were classified in back and forward. The protocol of seven skin folds of Jackson & Pollock was used to evaluate the percentage of fat; and for the PMI tests vertical jump (CMJ), horizontal jump and triple jump. The T-test for paired samples was adopted, being p < 0.05, to compare the study variables. The results indicated a significant difference between the total mass (p < 0,01), the fat-free mass (p < 0,05), the fat mass (p < 0,01), and the CMJ (p < 0,005) between the groups. It is observed that the anthropometric demands for the forwards are different from the backs, due to the characteristic of the game position, which requires a different physical and morphological configuration.

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar as variáveis antropométricas e de potência dos membros inferiores (PMI) em uma amostra de jogadores de rúgbi-7 de diferentes posições. Participaram 22 jogadores universitários, classificados de acordo com as posições ocupadas no campo de jogo para adiante e para trás. Para avaliar o percentual de gordura, utilizou-se o protocolo de 7 dobras cutâneas de Jackson & Pollock, e para os testes de PMI salto vertical (CMJ), salto horizontal e salto triplo. Com o objetivo de comparar as variáveis do estudo, o teste T foi adotado para amostras de dupla, sendo p <0,05. Os resultados indicaram uma diferença significativa entre a massa total ( t =, p <0,01), a massa livre de gordura (p <0,05), a massa adiposa (p <0,01) e o CMJ (p < 0,005) entre os grupos. Observa- se que as características antropométricas e neuromusculares para os atacantes são diferentes daquelas das costas, devido à posição de jogo, que requer uma configuração morfológica e física diferente.

Fatty Acid Composition of Plasma Phosphatidylcholine Determines Body Fat Parameters in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome-Related Traits.

BACKGROUND: This study examines the associations of fatty acids (FAs) in plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC) with the anthropometrical and biochemical characteristic of patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related traits. METHODS: We analyzed the FA profiles of PC in 300 persons with MetS-related traits (152 M/148F, mean age 46.9 ± 9.0 years) and in 70 healthy controls of the same age using a balanced men/women ratio and gas-liquid chromatography. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the coefficients of determination (R2) using FA proportions of the mentioned proband characteristics. RESULTS: The FA composition of PC in patients with MetS traits was only associated with waist circumference (R2 = 0.27), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; R2 = 0.41), body fat percentage (R2 = 0.62), and fat mass (R2 = 0.29). Positive associations were found for dihomo-γ-linolenic (DGLA), palmitic, stearic (SA), α-linolenic (ALA), and eicosapentaenoic acids, whereas negative associations were found for linoleic (LA), oleic, and docosapentaenoic acids. Palmitoleic acid (POA) was positively associated with waist circumference but negatively with fat percentage. In controls, significant associations were found for waist circumference (R2 = 0.51), WHR (R2 = 0.53), body fat percentage (R2 = 0.60), and fat mass (R2 = 0.34). DGLA and saturated FA (SFA) were positively associated, whereas docosahexaenoic, adrenic, and cis-vaccenic acids were negatively associated. The study group differed from controls as follows: lower concentrations of LA and total n-6 FA, higher indices of delta-9-desaturase and delta-6 desaturase activity and higher proportions of POA, SA, ALA, DGLA, and SFA. CONCLUSIONS: We found significant associations (R2 >0.25) of FA in plasma PC with adiposity in middle-aged persons with MetS-related traits, but not with metabolic indices.

Influence of eating quickly and eating until full on anthropometric gains in girls: A population-based, longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: In examining childhood overweight/obesity, there is a need to consider both eating quickly and eating until full. This longitudinal study investigated the influence of eating quickly and/or eating until full on anthropometric variables and becoming overweight/obese among Japanese schoolgirls. METHODS: Study participants were fourth-grade schoolgirls (aged 9 or 10 years) in Ina Town, Japan. Physical examinations and a questionnaire survey were performed at baseline (fourth grade) and after 3 years (seventh grade). Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured in the physical examinations, while the data on eating quickly and eating until full were collected in the questionnaire survey. Analysis of variance and analysis of covariance were used to compare the differences in each anthropometric variable between fourth and seventh grade among groups. RESULTS: Data on 425 non-overweight/obese schoolgirls in fourth grade were analyzed. Gains in anthropometric variables (body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio) from fourth to seventh grade were significantly larger in the "eating quickly and eating until full" group than in the "not eating quickly and not eating until full" group. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the gains between the "eating quickly or eating until full" group and the "not eating quickly and not eating until full" group. The proportion of overweight/obese girls in seventh grade was higher in the "eating quickly and eating until full" group than in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Eating quickly and eating until full had a substantial impact on excess gains in anthropometric variables among schoolgirls, suggesting that modifying these eating behaviors may help prevent non-overweight/obese girls from the excess gains. Accordingly, school health programs need to focus on not eating quickly and/or not eating until full to prevent overweight/obesity; it is necessary to emphasize "the risk of overweight/obesity associated with these eating behaviors" in schools.

Biosocial correlates of age at menarche in a British cohort.

BACKGROUND: A large number of biosocial variables have been shown to associate with age at menarche, but the results are inconsistent and differentiate not only between countries but within countries as well. AIM: This study examined age at menarche in a British national cohort in relation to 21 biosocial and anthropometric variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The analyses were based on 4483 girls from the British National Child Development Study (NCDS). RESULTS: The majority of girls reached menarche between 12-14 years of age. Girls from smaller families, those living in the East and South East, South West, West Midlands and Wales regions, in tied housing and uncrowded conditions, not sharing a bedroom, not having free school meals, whose families lived in households without financial problems had started menstruating earlier than their peers from families with lower socioeconomic status. However, when all the significant variables were analysed together significant associations remained only for mother's age at menarche, height and weight at 7 years, family size and tenure. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the hypotheses that intra-uterine growth and conditions in early life as well as socio-economic background are associated with the timing of menarche and that greater childhood growth and better SES are related to earlier menarche.

Selected anthropometric variables and aerobic fitness as predictors of cardiovascular disease risk in children.

The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio and aerobic fitness as predictors of cardiovascular risk factor clustering in children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 290 school boys and girls from 6 to 10 years old, randomly selected. Blood was collected after a 12-hour fasting period. Blood pressure, waist circumference (WC), height and weight were evaluated according to international standards. Aerobic fitness (AF) was assessed by the 20-metre shuttle-run test. Clustering was considered when three of these factors were present: high systolic or diastolic blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high triglycerides, high plasma glucose, high insulin concentrations and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. A ROC curve identified the cut-off points of body mass index (BMI), WC, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and AF as predictors of risk factor clustering. BMI, WC and WHR resulted in significant areas under the ROC curves, which was not observed for AF. The anthropometric variables were good predictors of cardiovascular risk factor clustering in both sexes, whereas aerobic fitness should not be used to identify cardiovascular risk factor clustering in these children.

Height and body composition determine arm propulsive force in youth swimmers independent of a maturation stage.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between anthropometric variables, body composition and propulsive force in swimmers aged 9-17 years. Anthropometric characteristics (body height and mass, sitting height, arm span, arm muscle area and body composition) and the propulsive force of the arm (tethered swimming test) were evaluated in 56 competitive male swimmers. Tanner's stages of genital maturation (P1-5) were used. The data analysis included correlations and multiple linear regression. The propulsive force of the arm was correlated with body height (r = 0.34; p =0.013), arm span (r = 0.29; p =0.042), sitting height (r = 0.36; p =0.009), % body fat (r = 0.33; p =0.016), lean body mass (r = 0.34; p =0.015) and arm muscle area (r = 0.31; p =0.026). Using multiple linear regression models, the percent body fat and height were identified as significant predictors of the propulsive force of the arm after controlling for the maturation stage. This model explained 22% (R2 = 0.22) of associations. In conclusion, the propulsive force of swimmers was related to body height and percent body fat.

Waist height ratio: A universal screening tool for prediction of metabolic syndrome in urban and rural population of Haryana.

AIMS: To compare waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and define an appropriate cut-off, which is most closely predictive of the non-adipose components of the IDF metabolic syndrome (MetS) definition. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 3,042 adults (1,693 in rural area and 1,349 in urban area) were screened for the presence of MetS according to the IDF definition. Among 3,042 adults selected as subjects, 1,518 were male and 1,524 were female. The receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was done to determine the optimal cut-off value and the best discriminatory value of each of these anthropometric parameters to predict two or more non-obese components of metabolic syndrome. The area under ROC (AURC) for WC was superior to that for other anthropometric variables. The optimal cut-off value of WC in urban and rural males was >89 cm, which is higher than that in urban and rural females at 83 cm and 79 cm, respectively; the optimal cut-off for WHtR was >0.51 in rural females, 0.52 in rural males, and 0.53 in both urban males and females. Both parameters were found to be better than BMI and WHR. ROC and AURC values for WC were better than those for WHtR in men and women in both urban and rural areas (P = 0.0054); however, when the entire study cohort was analyzed together, irrespective of gender and place of residence, then at a value of 0.52, WHtR scored over WC as a predictor of metabolic syndrome (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although the predictive value of different gender-specific WC values is clearly superior to other anthropometric measures for predicting two or more non-adipose components of MetS, a single value of WHtR irrespective of gender and the area of residence can be used as a universal screening tool for the identification of individuals at high risk of development of metabolic complications.