Parameters of pubertal growth spurt in children and adolescents living at high altitude in Peru

Abstract Objectives: The aim was to estimate the pubertal growth height of children and adolescents living in a high-altitude region of Peru using the Preece-Baines model 1 (1 PB). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in schoolchildren from the department of Puno (Peru) between 3841 and 3874 masl. The age range was between 4 and 17 years. Standing height was evaluated. 1 PB was used to infer the mathematical and biological parameters of stature. Results: Mathematical parameters estimated by the 1 PB model reflected small residual standard error (RSE) values in both sexes (0.25 in boys and 0.27 in girls). In boys, the age at which peak velocity was reached (APHV) was estimated at 13.21 ± 0.33years. While in girls it was 9.96 ± 0.26years (p < 0.05). In general, girls reached APHV (y) 3.25 years earlier than boys. On the other hand, the growth velocity of maximum height [APHV (cm/y)] of boys was higher (6.33 ± 6.06 cm/y) relative to girls (6.06 ± 0.32 cm/y). Estimated final adult height (EFAH) in boys was reached at 166.020 ± 0.99 cm and height at maximum growth velocity (HPHV) was 153.07 ± 0.67 cm, while in girls they were significantly lower (EFAH; 153.74 ± 0.44 cm and HPHV: 139.73 ± 0.84 cm). Conclusions: This study showed that girls living in Puno at a high altitude in Peru reached APHV 3 years earlier than boys and at the same time reflected slower PHV. These results suggest that pubertal growth at high altitudes is slower in both sexes and especially in girls. Thus, modeling physical growth may be an important step in understanding the onset of puberty at different latitudes.

Análisis bibliométrico de las funciones ejecutivas de adultos mayores en Iberoamérica / Bibliometric analysis of executive functions of older adults in Ibero-America

RESUMEN Objetivos: a) Verificar la cantidad de estudios efectuados en Iberoamérica sobre función ejecutiva (FE) en adultos mayores; b) Identificar los instrumentos utilizados para medir las FE en adultos mayores durante los años 2009-2018. Material y métodos: Se efectuó un estudio bibliométrico sobre las FE en adultos mayores de Iberoamérica. La búsqueda de información se hizo en las base de datos Scopus y Scielo. Se consideraron estudios iberoamericanos publicados en idioma español y portugués, utilizándose ocho palabras clave y cinco indicadores registrados. Resultados: Se identificaron un total de 12 investigaciones originales en seis países iberoamericanos (España, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, y Perú). La mayor cantidad de investigaciones relacionadas con FE en asultos mayores tuvo lugar en los periodos 2009-2010 y 2013-2014. En estos estudios, se han utilizado varios instrumentos con el Trail Making Test (TMT) y la Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) como los de uso más frecuente. Conclusiones: Parece existir un interés limitado por investigar las FE en adultos mayores de Iberoamérica. La mayoría de los estudios idntificados en esta indagación utilizaron como tests cognitivos el TMT y la FAB.

SUMMARY Objectives: a) To verify the number of studies on executive functions (EF) in older adults carried out in Ibero-America; b) To identify the instruments used to measure EF in older adults during the years 2009-2018. Material and methods: A bibliometric study on EF in older adults in Latin America was carried out through the Scopus and Scielo databases. Studies published in Spanish and Portuguese languages using eight keywords and five registered indicators. Results: Between 2009 and 2018, a total of 12 original investigations have been carried out in six Iberoamerican countries (Spain, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru). Most EF-related investigations were reported duing the 2010-2009 and 2013-2014 periods. Several instruments were used, the Trail Making Test and the Frontal Assessment Battery being the most frequent. Conclusions: There seems to be a limited interest in investigating EF in older adults in Ibero-America. Most of these studies identified in this inquiry used the TMT and the FAB as cognitive tests.

Reproductibilidad de pruebas de competencia motriz y percentiles para niños y adolescentes que viven a altitud moderada del Perú / Reproducibility of motor competence tests and percentiles for children and adolescents living at moderate altitude in Peru

Objetivo. Evaluar la reproductibilidad de las pruebas de competencia motriz (CM) de transposición lateral y salto lateral, y estimar percentiles por edad y sexo para niños que viven a altitud modera del Perú.Método. Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo transversal en la provincia de Arequipa (Perú). Se evaluó el peso, la estatura y la circunferencia de cintura. Se calculó el índice de masa corporal e índice ponderal. Se evaluó la prueba de transposición lateral y salto lateral (ambas de la batería Kopfer test für Kinder).Resultados. La muestra estuvo constituida por 885 niñas y 897 niños de 6,0 a 16,9 años. El error técnico de medida intraevaluador para ambas pruebas de CM oscilaron entre 1,75 y 3,9 repeticiones en ambos sexos, mientras que el coeficiente de correlación intraclase fue de 0,77 a 0,99. Los límites de acuerdo oscilaron entre -7,3 y 6,8 repeticiones en ambas pruebas. Se estimaron percentiles 5º, 15º, 50º, 85º y 95º por el método Least-Mean-Square algorithm. Los puntos de corte adoptados para las pruebas CM fueron bajo: < p15; regular: de p15 a p85; y alto: > p85.Conclusión. Las pruebas de transposición lateral y salto lateral mostraron una elevada capacidad de reproductibilidad. Los percentiles propuestos pueden servir para valorar la CM y podrían ser incluidos y adaptados como indicadores de desempeño en la educación física.

Objective. To assess the reproducibility of two motor competence (MC) tests: moving sideways and jumping sideways, and to estimate age and sex percentiles for children living at moderate altitude in Peru.Method. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in the province of Arequipa, Peru. Weight, height, and waist circumference were assessed. Body mass index and ponderal index were estimated. The moving sideways and jumping sideways tests were assessed (both from the Körper test für Kinder test battery).Results. The sample was made up of 885 girls and 897 boys aged 6.0-16.9 years. The intra-evaluator technical error of measurement for both MC tests ranged between 1.75 and 3.9 repetitions in both males and females, whereas the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.77-0.99. Agreement limits ranged between -7.3 and 6.8 repetitions for both tests. The 5th, 15th, 50th, 85th, and 95th percentiles were estimated using the Least-Mean-Square algorithm. The cut-off points for MC tests were low: < p15; medium: p15-p85; and high: > p85. Conclusion. Moving sideways and jumping sideways showed a high capacity for reproducibility. The proposed percentiles may be useful to assess MC and could be included and adapted as performance indicators in physical education

Validez de ecuaciones y propuesta de valores referenciales para estimar la masa grasa de adultos mayores

Background: Excess fat mass (FM) has a higher risk of producing sarcopenia, physical deterioration and reduced quality of life in older people. Aim: To propose regression equations based on the Body Mass Index (BMI) to predict fat mass using double energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the gold standard. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study in 1,188 participants (523 men and 665 women) aged 60 to 85 years. Ten percent of these (59 men and 60 women) were randomly selected to propose FM equations using DXA. The remaining 90% was used to calculate FM and develop percentiles. Results: Two equations were proposed to estimate FM [men: FM = −29,502+ (1,912 * BMI) R2 = 79%, women: FM = −9,891+ (1,323 * BMI) R2 = 80%]. Ten, 50, 85 and 95 percentiles were developed to evaluate FM. Conclusions: This study developed reliable regression equations and referential values to estimate FM in older people.

Perfil antropométrico en función del estado nutricional de niños con discapacidad intelectual / Nutritional status in children with intellectual disabilities based on anthropometric profile

Introducción: Las variables antropométricas de peso, altura y longitudes corporales de niños y adolescentes con y sin discapacidad intelectual deben ser estudiadas en función del estado nutricional, del crecimiento físico y la maduración biológica. Objetivos: a) analizar el perfil antropométrico en función de las categorías del estado nutricional, b) determinar la prevalencia de exceso de peso y baja estatura y c) proponer ecuaciones de predicción de la estatura a partir de variables antropométricas. Pacientes y Método: Se estudiaron 49 niños y adolescentes con discapacidad intelectual (30 hombres y 19 mujeres) de una escuela de educación especial. Se evaluaron el peso, la estatura, la altura troncocefálica, y la longitud del antebrazo y el pie. El cálculo del estado nutricional permitió establecer categorías nutricionales: bajo peso, peso normal y exceso de peso. Resultados: El perfil antropométrico de los varones varía significativamente cuando se clasifica por categorías nutricionales (p < 0,05); por el contrario, en las mujeres no hubo variación alguna (p > 0,05). Además, en ambos sexos se observaron altos valores de prevalencia de exceso de peso (varones 43% y mujeres 26%). Las variables como edad, peso, longitud del antebrazo en mujeres y longitud del pie en varones son buenos predictores de la estatura (hombres R² = 91-94% y mujeres R² = 87%). Conclusiones: Hubo un alto porcentaje de exceso de peso y se sugiere un riguroso control y seguimiento del estado nutricional. Las ecuaciones de regresión propuestas podrían ser una alternativa para ser utilizadas en el trabajo cotidiano de la escuela y predecir la estatura de forma fácil y sencilla.

Introduction: Anthropometric variables such as weight, height and body length in children and adolescents with and without intellectual disabilities should be studied in connection with nutritional status, physical growth and biological maturation. Objective: a) to analyze the anthropometric profile based on nutritional status, b) to determine the prevalence of overweight and short stature c) to propose equations for predicting height from anthropometric variables. Methods: A total of 49 children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities, and from a special education school were studied (30 boys and 19 girls). Weight, height, trunk-cephalic height, forearm and foot length were evaluated. The calculation of nutritional status resulted in the establishment of nutritional categories: underweight, normal and overweight. Results: The anthropometric profile of males varies significantly when classified according to nutritional categories (P<.05); however no variations were observed in the girls (P>.05). Also, high values of overweight prevalence were observed in both genders (43% of boys and 26% of girls). Variables such as age, weight, length of the forearm in females, and foot length in males are good predictors of height (R² = 91-94% males and R² = 87% females). Conclusions: A high percentage of overweight cases were observed; therefore, rigorous control and monitoring of nutritional status are suggested. The proposed regression equations could be an option in schools to easily and simply predict height.