Geographical altitude, size, mass and body surface area in children (1-4 years) in the Province of Jujuy (Argentina)

• Published in: Annals of human biology Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 431 - 438
• Main Authors: Román, Estela María, Bejarano, Ignacio Felipe, Alfaro, Emma Laura, Abdo, Guadalupe, Dipierri, José Edgardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 03-09-2015
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological - physiology; Altitude; Argentina - epidemiology; Body mass; Body Mass Index; body size; Body Size - physiology; Body Surface Area; Child, Preschool; Female; geographical altitude; Geography; Growth and Development - physiology; Growth Disorders - epidemiology; Humans; Infant; infants; Jujuy; Male; Nutritional Status - physiology; Socioeconomic Factors; Argentina; body size; Jujuy; infants; Body mass; geographical altitude; body surface area
• ISSN: 0301-4460; 1464-5033
• DOI: 10.3109/03014460.2014.959998

Background: Highland child populations show low growth rates.
Aim: To evaluate the variation of size, mass and body surface area of Jujenean infants (1-4 years) as a function of geographic altitude.
Subjects and methods: Nutritional status of 8059 healthy infants was determined based on weight and height data; body mass index, ponderal index, body surface area, body surface area/mass and ectomorphy were calculated. Variables were standardized with a provincial mean and WHO references. Data were grouped by age, sex and geographic altitude: Highlands (≥2500 masl) and Lowlands (<2500 masl). Chi-square, correlation and t-tests were applied.
Results: Highlands infants had higher prevalence of stunting, reduced height, weight, body surface area and ectomorphy; also higher body mass index, ponderal index and body surface area/mass. The population average z-score for height, weight and body surface area was positive in Lowlands and negative in Highlands. The opposite happened with body mass index, ponderal index and body surface area/mass. In Highlands and Lowlands the average z-score reference was negative for weight and height and positive for body mass index. Correlations between indices were high and significant, higher in Highlands.
Conclusion: Jujenean children differ in size, mass and body surface area based on the geographical altitude and adverse nutritional and socioeconomic factors.