1. Evaluation of Waist, Hip and Upper Arm Measurements in Preschool Children with Bronchial Asthma
ID23120
Gundega Skruze-Janava, Acting Assistant1
Dzintra Kažoka, Associate Professor1
1- Rīga Stradiņš University, Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology
Introduction
Results
World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using body mass index (BMI) to evaluate nutrition in patients of all ages. However, there are more factors, like waist, hip and arm circumferences, that help determine the body composition and nutrition.
Previous studies, mostly in populations of USA, Canada and Poland, focus on schoolchildren; a wide range of differences in body composition in children with BA, compared to heathy children, has been determined.
The mean age of the girls was 6.03 ± 0.82 years; in boys 6.13 ± 0.69 years. The mean measurements were determined in both genders of the study and the control group.
According to Mann-Whitney U test, the mean WC and HC were significantly larger in girls of the study group, compared to the control group (p<0.05). In boys of the study group, the mean WC was significantly larger (p<0.05); questionable statistically significant differences were found of HC in boys of the study and control groups (p=0.09).
There was no statistically significant difference in UAC, TS and WHR (p>0.05) between study and control groups of both genders.
Table 1. Mean values with standard deviations in girls
Study group
Control group
WC, cm
54.73 ± 4.41
52.44 ± 4.23
HC, cm
66.54 ± 4.26
62.76 ± 5.28
UAC, cm
18.13 ± 1.38
17.51 ± 1.42
TS, mm
10.37 ± 1.73
10.38 ± 2.82
WHR
0.82 ± 0.04
0.84 ± 0.04
Aim
To evaluate the differences in waist circumference, hip circumference and upper arm measurements in preschool children with bronchial asthma (BA).
Table 2. Mean values with standard deviations in boys
Study group
Control group
WC, cm
55.94 ± 4.45
53.45 ± 4.84
HC, cm
65.45±5.54
62.95 ± 5.03
UAC, cm
17.93 ± 1.67
17.41 ± 1.65
TS, mm
9.16 ± 1.99
8.83 ± 2.81
WHR
0.85 ± 0.06
0.85 ± 0.04
Materials and Methods
The study group consists of 42 children (23 boys and 19 girls), age 5 to 7 years, with BA, but no other chronic conditions. The control group includes 85 children (44 boys and 41 girls), age 5 to 7 years, without any chronic conditions. Random selection was used in several preschools in Riga, and in Childrens University Hospital. Parental consent was mandatory.
Waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), upper arm circumference (UAC) and triceps skinfold (TS) were measured. Antropometric measurements were determined, using the instruments of „SiberHegner&Co”. Flexible measuring tape was used for determinings the circumferences. WC was measured with at the level of umbilicus. HC was taken around the widest portion of the hips. UAC was measured around the midpoint of upper arm. TS measurements were recorded using a SF caliper.
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was calculated.
Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 programs. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis of different values were determined gender specifically.
Conclusions
In preschool girls with BA, the waist and hip circumferences are larger than in healthy preschool girls. In preschool boys with BA, only the waist circumference is larger. There are no differences between preschool children with BA and healthy children in upper arm measurements and WHR.