Abstract
Anthropometric estimation of midarm muscularity and fatness was employed as a general index of nutritional status in developing countries. The present study attempts to evaluate the sex- and age-related pattern of regional muscle and fat area characteristics in Turkish children. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 1,068 10- to 14-year-old children (583 boys and 485 girls) from junior high schools in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. According to general anthropometric protocols, weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, and midarm circumference measurements were taken and socioeconomic data were collected. Arm muscle area (AMA) and arm fat area (AFA) were calculated and centile curves were evaluated using least median squares method. Results showed significant sexual dimorphism in muscle and fat patterning. AFA was found to be higher among girls and AMA among boys. The present findings suggest that the different levels of socioeconomic status (SES) appeared to be more prevalent on muscularity among boys (p < 0.05) and adiposity among girls (p < 0.001).
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Acknowledgments
We are especially indebted to the principals of schools and children involved for their patient and friendly collaboration. We also thank the Physical Anthropology Laboratory members of Kyoto University for their constructive comments and anonymous reviewers for their contribution to the improvement of this manuscript.
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Gültekin, T., Özer, B.K., Katayama, K. et al. Age-related Patterns of Upper Arm Muscle and Fat Area in Turkish Children and Assessment of Nutritional Status. Intl Jnl Anthropology 21, 231–239 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11599-007-9025-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11599-007-9025-6