Comparison of social isolation in autistic children and adolescents according to age, marital status and number of siblings.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties that limit their opportunities to interact with peers and family members. These behaviors can lead to social exclusion, and consequently social isolation. The aim was to compare social isolation of children and adolescents with ASD according to age, marital status, and number of siblings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study in 37 subjects with ASD. Social isolation was assessed using a 6-item scale (with five alternatives). The sociodemographic variables were age, sex, marital status of parents, and number of siblings. Two groups were formed according to age (children from 4 to 10 years old and adolescents from 11 to 20 years old). RESULTS: For the total score of the social isolation scale, children showed a higher score (21.1 ± 4.7) than adolescents (17.7 ± 5.7). Children living with divorced parents had lower scores (16.2 ± 3.6), compared to married (22.2 ± 4.5) and cohabiting (22.8) children. For the number of siblings, with no siblings 17.2 ± 3.1 points, one sibling 22.2 ± 3.5 points, two siblings 22.1 ± 3.1 points, and three siblings 22.4 ± 3.2 points (P < 0.05). Age was related to social isolation (r = -0.30, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Children who live with divorced parents and have no siblings presented a higher degree of isolation in relation to their counterparts who live with both parents and have at least one sibling. Age plays a relevant role, with children aged 4-10 years presenting a lower degree of isolation than the adolescent group. It is suggested that the preservation of a functional family and the presence of siblings could contribute to improving social isolation.

Physical growth of children and adolescents living at a moderate altitude: proposed percentiles based on age and sex / Crecimiento físico de los niños y adolescentes que viven a una altitud moderada: percentiles propuestos en función de la edad y el sexo

Introduction: physical growth patterns and nutritional status of children and adolescents living at a moderate altitude are not applicable for clinical assessment of growth for diverse populations around the world. Objective: a) to compare weight, height and body mass index (BMI) variables with CDC-2012 references; b) to verify if BMI and/or ponderal index (PI) are applicable to children living at a moderate altitude; and c) to propose percentiles to assess physical growth by age and sex. Methods: a total of 5,377 students, ranging in age from 6.0 to 17.9 years, were evaluated. The students were from two geographic regions of moderate altitude in Peru (2,320 meters) and Colombia (2,640 meters). Weight and height were measured. BMI and PI were calculated. Weight, height and BMI were compared with CDC-2012 references. Results: males showed lower weight and height from age 11 to 17.9 years compared to CDC-2012. Females weighed less than the reference from 9.0 to 17.9 years. Female height was lower from 6.0 to 14.9 years; however, from 15.0 to 17.9 years, values were similar to the reference. As for BMI, there were differences in both sexes (in males, from 15.0 to 17.9 years, and in females, from 12.0 to 17.9 years). Age, weight and height explained BMI: between R2 = 17 and 83 % in males, and in females between R2 = 24 and 85 %. These same variables influenced PI in a lower percentage in both sexes: for males (R2 = 0.01 to 49 %) and for females (R2 = 0.01 to 18 %). (AU)

Introducción: los patrones de crecimiento físico y el estado nutricional de los niños y adolescentes que viven a una altitud moderada no son aplicables para la evaluación clínica del crecimiento de las diversas poblaciones del mundo. Objetivo: a) comparar las variables de peso, estatura e índice de masa corporal (IMC) con las referencias del CDC-2012; b) verificar si el IMC y/o el índice ponderal (IP) son aplicables a los niños que viven a una altitud moderada, y c) proponer percentiles para evaluar el crecimiento físico por edad y sexo. Métodos: se evaluaron 5377 estudiantes con edades que oscilaban entre los 6,0 y 17,9 años. Los estudiantes procedían de dos regiones geográficas de altitud moderada de Perú (2320 metros) y Colombia (2640 metros). Se midieron el peso y la estatura. Se calcularon el IMC y el IP. El peso, la estatura y el IMC se compararon con las referencias de los CDC-2012. Resultados: los varones mostraron un peso y una estatura inferiores de los 11 hasta los 17,9 años en comparación con la CDC-2012. Las mujeres pesaron menos que la referencia desde los 9,0 hasta los 17,9 años. La estatura de las mujeres fue inferior de los 6,0 a los 14,9 años; sin embargo, de los 15,0 a los 17,9 años, los valores fueron similares a los de referencia. En cuanto al IMC, se produjeron diferencias en ambos sexos (en varones, desde 15,0 hasta 17,9 años, y en mujeres, de 12,0 hasta 17,9 años). La edad, el peso y la altura explicaron el IMC: entre R2 = 17 y 83 % en los varones, y en mujeres entre R2 = 24 y 85 %. Estas mismas variables influyeron en el IP en un porcentaje menor en ambos sexos: para los varones (R2 = 0,01 a 49 %) y para las mujeres (R2 = 0,01 a 18 %). (AU)

Estimación de la masa grasa por medio de indicadores antropométricos en jóvenes con síndrome de Down / Estimation of fat mass by anthropometric indicators in young people with Down syndrome

Introducción: la evaluación de la composición corporal es relevante y útil para diseñar intervenciones de estilos de vida saludables y estrategias nutricionales.Objetivos: verificar las relaciones existentes entre los indicadores de adiposidad y la masa grasa (MG), y validar ecuaciones que permitan predecir la MG en jóvenes con síndrome de Down (SD).Métodos: se efectuó un estudio transversal en 48 jóvenes con SD (24 hombres y 24 mujeres). Se evaluaron el peso, la estatura, la circunferencia de la cintura (CC) y la circunferencia de la cadera (CCa). Se calcularon el índice de masa corporal (IMC), el índice de adiposidad corporal (IAC), el índice cintura-cadera (ICC) y el índice cintura-estatura (ICE). Se evaluó la MG mediante absorciometría de rayos X de doble energía (DXA). Resultados: la edad de los hombres era de 19,3 ± 3,0 años y la de las mujeres de 18,9 ± 1,9 años; el peso era de 73,6 ± 14,3 kg en los hombres y de 75,8 ± 20,3 kg en las mujeres; finalmente, la estatura de los hombres era de 168,9 ± 6,5 cm y la de las mujeres de 156,3 ± 6,2 cm. En los hombres, las correlaciones entre la MG (DXA) y los parámetros IMC, CC, CCa, ICE, IAC e ICE oscilaron entre r = 0,01 y r = 0,89; en las mujeres, entre r = 0,10 y r = 0,97. Las correlaciones más altas se observaron con el IMC y la CC en ambos sexos (hombres, r = 0,78 a 0,92 y mujeres, r = 0,83 a 0,97). Se generaron ecuaciones de regresión para estimar la MG en los hombres (R2 = 84 %) y en las mujeres (R2 = 96 %). Se calcularon los percentiles de MG según la DXA y con cada ecuación. Conclusiones:hubo correlaciones positivas significativas del IMC y la CC con la MG. Estos indicadores fueron determinantes para desarrollar ecuaciones que estiman la MG de los jóvenes con SD. Los resultados sugieren su uso y aplicación para evaluar, clasificar y monitorizar los niveles de adiposidad corporal en contextos clínicos y epidemiológicos. (AU)

Introduction: the assessment of body composition is relevant and useful for designing interventions for healthy lifestyles and nutritional strategies. Objective: our goal was to verify the relationships between adiposity indicators with fat mass (FM), and to validate equations that allow predicting FM in young people with Down syndrome (SD). Methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out in 48 young people with DS (24 men and 24 women). Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference (HC) were evaluated. Body mass index (BMI), body adiposity index (BAI), waist-to-hip index (WHI), and waist-to-height index (WHtR) were calculated. FM was evaluated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: age in men was 19.3 ± 3.0 years, and in women it was 18.9 ± 1.9 years; weight was 73.6 ± 14.3 kg in men and 75.8 ± 20.3 kg in women, and height in men was 168.9 ± 6.5 cm, and in women it was 156.3 ± 6.2 cm. In males the correlations between FM (DXA) with BMI, WC, HC, WHtR, BAI and WHtR ranged from r = 0.01 to r = 0.89, and in females from r = 0.10 to r = 0.97. The highest correlations were observed with BMI and WC in both sexes (males r = 0.78 to 0.92, and females r = 0.83 to 0.97). Regression equations were generated to estimate FM in males (R2 = 84 %) and in females (R2 = 96 %). Percentiles were calculated for MG per DXA and for each equation. Conclusions: there were significant positive correlations between BMI and WC with FM. These indicators were decisive for developing equations that estimate FM in young people with DS. The results suggest its potential use and application to evaluate, classify and monitor body fat levels in clinical and epidemiological contexts. (AU)