Tracking of Body Composition Variables

Height, weight, and skinfold measurements were obtained on a cohort of 447 children from birth (weight) or 6 months of age (height and skinfold) and monitored yearly thereafter until 7 years of age. At age 7 years, 250 remained for follow-up screening. A significant degree of tracking was found for all variables from age 1 to age 7 years. Height and weight tracked most strongly (age 1- to 7-year correlations = .42 and .44, respectively), whereas skinfold tracked somewhat lower (.28). Earlier levels of each anthropometric variable were the best predictor of later levels of that parameter. Implications for early detection and treatment of growth abnormalities are discussed.

Assessing the Main Anthropometric Variable with Teenagers from Maramureş Country

The anthropometric measurements allow establishing the condition of growth and development of the organism. 180 subjects have been studied, aged between 13 – 14, grouped in three batches, two living in town and one in the countryside. The results lead to the following conclusions: all indicators studied increased in the age span 13 – 14; the somatic development was influenced by the subjects’ age, gender and domicile. The total water and the muscle mass vary strongly connected with the height and weight growth. These indexes increase during puberty. The total water varies strictly connected with the muscle mass, and it depends on age, genre, physical activity and life environment.