Proporciones corporales en niños y adolescentes de zonas de moderada altitud del Perú: Propuesta de percentiles por edad y sexo

The main objective was to compare body proportions of children and adolescents of moderate altitude with international studies and to propose reference tables. A cross-sectional study was conducted in school children living at moderate altitude in Peru. 3915 school children of both sexes between the ages of 6.0 and 17.9 years were studied. Weight, height and sitting height were evaluated. Two body proportions were calculated: ratio sitting height/leg length and ratio sitting height/height. Comparisons were made with other population studies. In the sample, sitting height is similar to other populations (China and Argentina), while leg length varied dramatically during childhood (Holland, Argentina, Austria and China). In girls, sitting height showed lower values in all age ranges (Holland, Argentina and China), while leg length showed values relatively similar to girls in Argentina and China. Body proportions are similar to other populations during childhood; however, during adolescence they varied ostensibly. The correlations between sitting height-stature (r = 0.14 to 0.81) and between height-leg length (r = 0.67-0.88) were positive and statistically significant. Percentiles were proposed. In conclusion, body shape and proportions in both sexes showed minimal to accentuated variations. During adolescence, as they move towards maturity, values approach other populations (China and Argentina). The subjects studied can be characterized by presenting a small trunk and relatively long legs. The proposed reference percentiles provide a useful tool for the clinical diagnosis of growth in this population.