Original scientific paper
Tracking of Anthropometric Parameters and Bioelectrical Impedance in Pubertal Boys and Girls
Aire Leppik
Toivo Jürimäe
Jaak Jürimäe
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the anthropometric parameters and body impedance once per year during
four years of the pubertal period in Estonian children. In total, 81 boys and 86 girls aged 10–11 years at the beginning of
the study were investigated. Pubertal status was self-assessed by sexual maturation stages according to Tanner18 and
physical activity index (PAI) according to Telama et al.17. Body height and weight were measured and body mass index
(BMI) calculated. In total, 9 skinfolds, 13 girths, 8 lengths and 8 breadths/lengths were measured according to the protocol
of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry21. Somatotype components were estimated according
to the method of Carter and Heath9. Body impedance was measured using Multiscan 5000 (Bodystat, UK) and
the impedance index (height²/impedance) was calculated. The tracking of body height, weight, BMI, skinfolds, girths,
lengths, breadth/lengths and body impedance was high (as a rule r0.9). By increasing the time period, the correlation
slightly decreased. In contrast, tracking correlations for PAI and Tanner stages were significant but quite low. Increase
in mean body height was highest between 12–13 years of age (6.9 cm per year) in boys and in girls between 11–12 years of
age (6.3 cm per year). In boys and girls, the peak increase in body weight was between 11 and 12 years of age, 5.7 kg and
5.2 kg, respectively. With the increasing age, body impedance decreased and impedance index increased. In conclusion,
our results indicate that during puberty the detailed anthropometric parameters and body impedance tracked highly.
However, the tracking of PAI and Tanner stages was significant but relatively low.
Keywords
anthropometry; somatotype; bioelectrical impedance; sexual maturation; tracking
Hrčak ID:
27675
URI
Publication date:
13.12.2006.
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