[Behavior of some anthropometric, clinical and biochemical variables in boys and girls 8 to 12 years of age from the longitudinal study of the metropolitan area]. / Comportamiento de algunas variables antropométricas, clinicas y bioquimicas en varones y hembras de 8 a 12 años de edad del Estudio Longitudinal del Area Metropolitana.

A longitudinal principal components analysis was used to summarize trends or intraindividual changes in weight, height, blood pressure, serum cholesterol and triglycerides in 32 boys and 28 girls from the Caracas Longitudinal Study (1976-1982), who started follow-up at age 8. A first component was identified for each variable, it represents a measure of position across the whole age period, a "canalization pattern". This component accounted for most of the total variance. The second component represents an unidirectional change in relative position of the values of the variable, a "decanalization pattern", and a third pattern summarized deviations around a position level: "recanalization pattern". The results from the correlation analyses between the components indicate a positive and significant association between the identified trends. These patterns allow predictability of "high and low risk" factors of non-communicable chronic diseases.

[Relation among early maturation, body mass index and the longitudinal behavior of systolic blood pressure]. / Relación entre la maduración temprana, indice de masa corporal y el comportamiento longitudinal de la presión arterial sistólica.

In the Caracas Longitudinal Study, 53 girls- 8 to 11 years of age- who had been classified as early, average and late maturers were analyzed longitudinally with respect to Body Mass Index (BMI) and Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP). A longitudinal principal component analysis was used to summarize trends or intraindividual changes in BMI and SBP. A first component was identified for BMI, this component accounted for most of its total variance (94.65%). Girls were classified as normal in weight or at risk of overweight on the basis of this component. Three principal components were identified for SBP, that accounted for 91.83% of the total variance of this variable. The first component represented a measure of position across the whole age period, a "canalization pattern"; this component accounted for most of the total variance (45.65%). The second component revealed an unidirectional change in relative position of the values of the variable, a "decanalization pattern", and a third pattern summarized deviations around a position level: "recanalization pattern". Girls who showed a canalization pattern for SBP were those identified as early maturers and at risk of overweight.

Patrones de crecimiento de los venezolanos; dimorfismo sexual y ritmo de maduración / Patterns of growth of the venezuelan sexual dismorphism and rhythm of maturers

Se presentan algunos resultados del Proyecto Venezuela (1981-1987) y del Estudio Longitudinal del Area Metropolitana de Caracas (1976-1983). Las niñas iniciaron el brote puberal (BP) en talla y peso a los 9 1/2 años y alcanzaron la edad del punto de velocidad máxima (EPVM) a los 11 1/2 y 12 años, respectivamente, e iniciaron el desarrollo sexual (GM2) más de 1 año antes que el de los varones (G2:11 1/2 años). Las niñas resultaron más altas y pesadas entre los 11 y 13 años predominio puberal precoz debido al tempo rápido de las venezolanas- los hombres terminaron 12 1/2 cm y 8 Kg más altos y pesados a los 19 años. La secuencia de eventos: EPVM talla

[Estimation of the menarcheal age in a longitudinal study: comparison of methods]. / Estimación de la edad de la menarquia en un estudio longitudinal: comparación de métodos.

Menarcheal age was assessed in 164 girls followed longitudinally for six years, belonging to Caracas upper social strata. The retrospective, prospective and "Status Quo" methods were used; age was recorded as the recalled date, the mid-interval interpolated date and the age at examination; and called "real" age (RA), "interval" age (IA) and "visit" age (VA). Means were calculated and medians estimated using the Logit method. Means of differences between RA and VA and between IA and VA were similar: 0.4 years approximately and significantly greater than the corresponding mean between RA and IA (0.2 years), thus mid-interval and RA mean menarcheal ages were similar. Values ranged from 12,866 to 12,341 with a standard deviation of one year. Mean menarcheal "visit" age was significantly later than both IA and RA means. Median menarcheal VA using the "Status Quo" and the Logit methodologies, was 12,337 +/- 0.028, similar to "real" age, and has been chosen for further analysis and correlations. The results are consistent with the low menarcheal age values reported for Venezuela.