ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research is to examine stature in both Albanian sexes as well as its association with arm span, as an alternative to estimating stature. A total of 445 individuals (266 boys and 179 girls) participated in this research. The anthropometric measurements were taken according to the protocol of ISAK. The relationships between stature and arm span were determined using simple correlation coefficients at a 95 % confidence interval. Then a linear regression analysis was carried out to examine extent to which arm span can reliably predict stature. Results displayed that Albanian boys are 176.57±7.36 cm tall and have an arm span of 179.98±9.41 cm, while Albanian girls are 166.84±9.28 cm tall and have an arm span of 167.53±10.34 cm. The results have shown that both sexes made Albanians a tall nation but not even close to their male compatriots from Kosovo that are almost 3 centimeters taller, while the results in female population are opposite. Moreover, the arm span reliably predicts stature in both sexes, which confirms a high R-square (%) for the boys (73.4) as well as for the girls (78.8).
El objetivo de esta investigación fue examinar la estatura en individuos de ambos sexos albaneses, además de su asociación con la extensión del brazo, como una alternativa a la estimación de la estatura. Un total de 445 individuos (266 niños y 179 niñas) participaron en esta investigación. Las medidas antropométricas se tomaron de acuerdo con el protocolo de ISAK. Las relaciones entre la estatura y el brazo se determinaron utilizando coeficientes de correlación simples en un intervalo de confianza del 95 %. Luego se realizó un análisis de regresión lineal para examinar en qué medida el brazo puede predecir de manera confiable la estatura. Los resultados muestran que los niños albaneses miden 176,57 ± 7,36 cm de alto y tienen una medida del brazo de 179,98 ± 9,41 cm, mientras que las niñas albanesas miden 166,84 ± 9,28 cm de alto y tienen una medida del brazo de 167,53 ± 10,34 cm. Los resultados han demostrado una altura importante en ambos sexos de la población albanesa. Sin embargo, se observó que respecto de la altura los varones de Kosovo miden casi 3 centímetros más, mientras que en la población femenina se observó lo contrario. Además, la extensión del brazo predice de manera confiable la estatura en ambos sexos, lo que confirma un alto Rcuadrado (%) para los varones (73,4) y para las mujeres (78,8).
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Young Adult , Arm/anatomy & histology , Body Height , Prognosis , Linear Models , Anthropometry , AlbaniaABSTRACT
Aims: Our aim was to assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus through self-reports and measurement of fasting glucose level in a representative sample of Albanian adults residing in Tirana. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The survey was conducted in urban Tirana during April- July 2012. Methods: A population-based sample of 795 individuals aged ≥18 years was included in this study (60% women; overall mean age: 50.3±18.7 years; response rate: 79.5%). Finger stick method was used to measure fasting glucose level in all participants. Furthermore, weight and height were measured. Data on socio-demographic and socioeconomic factors were also collected. General linear model was used to assess the association of mean glucose level with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and anthropometric indices. Results: The overall prevalence of self-reported diabetes was 11.8%. In multivariableadjusted analysis, among non-diabetic individuals, age and body mass index were significantly and positively associated with mean fasting glucose levels. Conversely, among diabetic individuals, no statistically significant differences of mean glucose levels were observed upon multivariable-adjustment. Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in this representative sample of primary health care users in Tirana was higher than previous reports from Albania. The management and control of diabetes is not adequate in the Albanian primary health care system, exposing individuals to a high risk for future diabetic complications.