Beitrag
Age at maturation, body structure and their relationship with socioeconomic factors
Nieczuja-Dwojacka, Joanna; Siniarska, Anna; Kozieł, Sławomir; Marchewka, Justyna; Zabłocka, Renata
Anthropologischer Anzeiger Volume 75 No. 4 (2018), p. 263 - 270
veröffentlicht: Dec 11, 2018
Online veröffentlicht: Sep 14, 2018
Manuskript akzeptiert: Jul 31, 2018
Manuskript-Revision erhalten: Jul 30, 2018
Manuskript-Revision angefordert: Apr 19, 2018
Manuskript erhalten: Mar 12, 2018
DOI: 10.1127/anthranz/2018/0873
ArtNo. ESP140007504000, Preis: 29.00 €
Abstract
Introduction: In this study, we aimed to identify the differences in body structure between early, average, and late maturing girls, taking into account family characteristics assessing socio-economic and living conditions. Methods: This study was conducted in the years 2003 and 2013 in Warsaw, Poland and comprised 788 girls in the age group of 11–19 years. The data were collected using a questionnaire which included parental education and profession, girls’ date of birth, age at menarche, and lifestyle characteristics. The measurements included height; weight; skinfolds on arm, under scapula, and on abdomen; arm circumference; and body mass index (BMI). The girls were divided into three groups: early, average, and late maturing. To eliminate the age differences, for each of the examined somatic variable, a “z” score was calculated. We analysed the combined data of both years (2003 and 2013) due to the lack of difference in the mean age at menarche. The primary objective of this study was to assess the relationship between somatic body structure and socioeconomic and lifestyle factors among early, average, and late maturing girls. Results: Early maturing girls possessed higher body weight and BMI. In families with only one child, the age at menarche was found to be the earliest than in families with more than one child. Body weight, BMI, arm circumference, and fatfold thickness was found to be reduced in case of girls whose parents had better education and profession than their peers. Higher levels of stress were associated with higher body mass, greater BMI, arm circumference, and skinfolds in early maturing girls. The associations between body structure with physical activity and family was mainly correlated with body weight and BMI. Conclusion: Socioeconomic and lifestyle factors may be helpful in some levelling of differences in the body structure between girls differing in the age at menarche, especially the level of stress and the education and profession of parents.
Schlagworte
early-late maturing • SES • anthropometry