Comparative study of the cephalic index of the population from the regions of the north and south of Brazil / Estudio comparativo de índice cefálico de la población de las regiones norte y sur de Brasil

Since the beginning of the century in various countries, investigations to determine the anthropometric characteristics of a population were carried out. The issue of miscegenation in Brazil is of great importance in this study to define a population representative data on the cranial anthropometry. The large size of Brazil, with 8.514.876 km2 leads to an investigation between the two extreme regions of the country: North and South, because of the ethnic composition of their colonizers. This study aims to investigate, compare and rank possible differences in cephalic index of the populations from these regions of Brazil. Therefore, an anthropometric study was performed at the School of Aeronautics Expert (single training center for graduates of Brazilian Air Force), measurements were performed in 110 male students, divided by regions, and also the parents of these students who came from the same region of Brazil. The average width of the head shown in the Northern region is 15.80 +/- 0.69 and 15.75 +/- 0.53 in the Southern region, with significant difference (P <0.05). The average length of the head lodged in the Northern region is 19.54 +/- 0.61 and 19.94 and in the South +/- 0.67, significant difference (P <0.05). With respect to the cephalic index the average in the North is 80.93 +/- 3.84 and in the South 79.06 +/- 3.60, significant difference (P <0.05). In the Northern region, for the classification, mesocephalic is predominant, but with a tendency to brachycephalic and hyperbrachycephalic, dolichocephalic type was rare in the South and the opposite occurs with respect to the rare type, the classification is to mesocephalic predominantly the second type is also brachycephalic, dolichocephalic but it is the third most common, often presented as the brachycephalic type.

Desde el comienzo del siglo en varios países, se llevaron a cabo investigaciones para determinar las características antropométricas de la población. El tema del mestizaje en Brasil es de gran importancia en este estudio para definir una base de datos representativa de la población en la antropometría craneal. El gran tamaño de Brasil, con 8.514.876 km2 nos lleva a realizar una investigación en individuos pertenecientes a las dos regiones extremas del país: Norte y Sur, debido a la composición étnica de sus colonizadores. Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar, comparar y clasificar las posibles diferencias en el índice cefálico de las poblaciones de estas regiones de Brasil. Por anterior, se llevó a cabo un estudio antropométrico en la Escuela de Aeronáutica de expertos (centro de entrenamiento único para los graduados de la Fuerza Aérea de Brasil). Las mediciones se realizaron en 110 estudiantes de sexo masculino, divididos por regiones, y también en los padres de estos estudiantes que vinieron de la misma región de Brasil. El ancho medio de la cabeza en los individuos de la región Norte fue 15,80 +/- 0,69 cm y 15,75 +/- 0.53 cm en la Región Sur, con diferencias significativas (P <0,05). La longitud media de la cabeza en los individuos de la Región Norte fue 19,54 +/- 0,61cm y 19,94 +/- 0,67 cm en los individuos del Sur, diferencia significativa (P <0,05). Con respecto al índice cefálico en el Norte fue 80,93 +/- 3,84 y emn el Sur 79,06 +/- 3,60, diferencia significativa (P <0,05). En la región Norte, la mesocefalia es predominante, pero con tendencia a la braquicefalia y hiperbraquicefalia. El tipo mesocefálico predominaba en los individuos del Sur pero con distribución más hacia la braquicefalia que hacia la dolicocefalia.

Efeito da atividade física programada sobre a composição corporal em escolares adolescentes / Influence of programmed physical activity on body composition among adolescent students

OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito da atividade física programada na escola sobre a composição corporal em escolares adolescentes durante 1 ano letivo. MÉTODOS: Amostra foi composta por 383 alunos, divididos em dois grupos: caso com 186 (96 meninos e 90 meninas) e controle com 197 (108 meninos e 89 meninas), com idade entre 10 e 15 anos. Trata-se de estudo de intervenção com pré e pós-teste, no qual o grupo caso foi submetido a atividade física programada e o grupo-controle a aulas convencionais de educação física escolar. A composição corporal foi avaliada por medidas antropométricas e cálculos de índice de massa corporal, percentual de gordura e massas gorda e magra. RESULTADOS: O grupo caso apresentou estabilidade na prega cutânea subescapular, índice de massa corporal, percentual de gordura e na massa gorda; redução significativa na prega cutânea triciptal, perímetro do abdome nas meninas e aumento significativo dos perímetros do braço, cintura e panturrilha e da massa magra. No grupo-controle houve aumento do índice de massa corporal, prega cutânea triciptal, perímetro do abdome e da massa gorda nas meninas. O grupo caso apresentou diminuição significativa na proporção de sobrepesos e obesos no pós em relação ao pré-teste, o mesmo não ocorrendo no grupo-controle. CONCLUSÃO: A atividade física programada resultou em melhoria e manutenção nas variáveis da composição corporal e redução da frequência de sobrepeso e obesidade no grupo que sofreu intervenção.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the influence of programmed physical activity on body composition among adolescent students during 1 school year. METHODS: The sample included 383 students (age range: 10 to 15years) separated into two groups: 186 cases (96 male and 90 female) and 197 controls (108 male and 89 female). This was an intervention study with pre- and post-test assessments in which interventions consisted of programmed physical activity; the control group had conventional school physical education. Body composition was assessed by anthropometric measurements, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage and fat and lean body mass. RESULTS: In the case group, subscapular skinfold thickness, BMI, body fat percentage and fat body mass remained stable; there were significant reductions in tricipital skinfold thickness and in abdominal perimeter among girls and significant increases in arm, waist and calf perimeters and in lean body mass. In the control group, there were significant increases in BMI, tricipital skinfold thickness, abdominal perimeter and fat body mass among girls. At post-test, overweight and obesity significantly decreased among case group subjects, but not among controls. CONCLUSION: Programmed physical activity resulted in improvement or maintenance of body composition parameters and in reduction of overweight and obesity in the intervention group.