The Relationship between Body Structure and the Socio-Economic Status in Hungarian Children and Adolescents

Among the numerous factors that influence the pattern of children’s growth and development there are factors of the changeable socio-economic environment. The inequalities among the socio-economic strata in the Hungarian society have increased during last decades. The main objective of the study was to examine the body structure of children and adolescents living in different socio-economic backgrounds. The subjects of the present paper (9479 boys, 9304 girls) were examined in the 2nd Hungarian National Growth Study 2003–2006. Body structure was assessed by some absolute body dimensions, BMI, body composition and body shape indices. Children were grouped into relatively good, average and poor socio-economic subgroups by considering the education and occupation of the parents as well as the number of children in the family. Significant differences were found in the body structure of children varying in the socio-economic background: the better the socio-economic conditions the higher stature in both genders, while the lower relative fatness was found only in pubertal girls. The prevalence of unhealthy nutritional statuses (both underweight and overweight/obese) was significantly lower in children living in better socio-economic conditions in both genders. Differences that were found in the body structure of children living in different socio-economic backgrounds emphasize the importance of using reference growth values layered also to socio-economic strata for screening nutritional status in childhood and adolescence

Body structural and cellular aging of women with low socioeconomic status in Hungary: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: The health status of an individual is determined not only by their genetic background but also by their physical environment, social environment and access and use of the health care system. The Roma are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in Hungary. The majority of the Roma population live in poor conditions in segregated settlements in Hungary, with most experiencing higher exposure to environmental health hazards. The main aim of this study was to examine the biological health and aging status of Roma women living in low socioeconomic conditions in Hungary. METHODS: Low SES Roma (n: 20) and high SES non-Roma women (n: 30) aged between 35 and 65 years were enrolled to the present analysis. Body mass components were estimated by body impedance analysis, bone structure was estimated by quantitative ultrasound technique. Cellular aging was assessed by X chromosome loss estimation. Data on health status, lifestyle and socioeconomic factors were collected by questionnaires. RESULTS: The results revealed that low SES women are prone to be more obese, have a higher amount of abdominal body fat, and have worse bone structure than the national reference values. A positive relationship was found between aging and the rate of X chromosome loss was detected only in women with low SES. Waist to hip ratio, existence of cardiovascular diseases and the number of gravidities were predictors of the rate of X chromosome loss in women. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that age-adjusted rate of X chromosome loss could be related to the socioeconomic status

Evolution séculaire de la taille, du poids et de la composition corporelle à Jászság (Hongrie)

Jászság est une région de la Hongrie centrale. La population de cette région a été longtemps isolée non seulement dans le sens géographique mais aussi ethnique et culturel. Cet isolement se termina au 19ème siècle, mais l'observation de Jászság reste toujours intéressante aujourd'hui. La croissance corporelle des enfants de Jászság a été étudiée en 1964 et a été réévaluée tous les 20 ans.Cette étude porte sur les changements de taille, de poids et de composition corporelle pendant ces périodes. Les buts sont d'observer les changements séculaires de ces paramètres. Nous avons sélectionné la taille et le poids d'enfants de 7-14 ans et estimé la composition corporelle par le modèle à deux composants. Nos résultats montrent une tendance à l'augmentation de taille et de poids, plus accentuée entre les années 60 et 80 que par après. L'augmentation de poids est due à l'augmentation de la masse corporelle maigre, la masse graisseuse restant inchangée. Ces résultats peuvent être mis en relation avec les modifications du style de vie de la population de Jászság.Jászság is a geographical region of Middle Hungary. Because of its history the population of this area was isolated for a long time period not only in geographical, but also ethnical and cultural sense. The isolation came to an and in the 19th century, but the observation of Jászság people remained in the centre of interest until now. Body development of Jászság children was studied first in 1964 and the investigation was repeated two times (by 20 years). This study observes the secular changes in body height, mass and body composition. From the three investigations body height and mass of 7-14 year-old pupils were prepared. Measurements for estimating body composition are available only in the last two studies. To assess the body composition a two-component model was applied. Basic statistical parameters were calculated. To test the differences between the groups the one-way analysis of variance was used. Our results proved a definite trend of increase both in body height and mass. The tempo of growth was more expressed until the eighties and decelerated afterwards. The data showed that the increase in body mass was due to the rise of lean body mass. The proportion of fat mass was almost unchanged. In our opinion these results are in connection with the changes that took place in the life of Jászság people and with the alteration of their life style

Changements de la composition corporelle durant la maturation sexuelle

Purpose: (1) to characterize the maturation status on the basis of breast development in the girls and genital development in the boys, resp. on occurrence or non-occurrence menarche or spermarche; (2) to study the sexual differences in body components during the puberty, (3) to analyze body components in children belonging to the same age group, but different maturation stages and to the various of maturation indicators, but differing in age. Subjects: The subjects of the present subsample of the 2nd national crosssectional study were such children that had already begun pubertal development. The chronological age of the girls (n = 2673) and boys (n = 2869) ranged between 10.0 and 16.0 years. Methods: The girls were subdivided by the maturation stages of the breast, while the boys by those of the genitals. Sexual maturation was assessed visually and rated by Tanner's suggestions (1962). Percentage of body fat was estimated by model of two components (Durnin and Rahaman 1967, Siri 1956), while masses of body componenst (fat, bone, muscle and residual mass) were assessed by the Drinkwater and Ross (1980) four-component anthropometric fractionation method. Multiple comparisons of the means were tested by Scheffé's formula at the 5% level. Results: Sexual differences in body composition, present already in childhood, became more accentuated during puberty, due mainly to growing fat content in the girls and to increasing lean body mass in the boys. In the females early maturers were heavier and contained more fat than less mature girls. This increase relative and absolute fat mass was proportionate to weight gain. In the males increasing fat mass lagged behind the gain in lean body mass both with advancing age and maturity status. Conclusion: Body composition and maturity status are closely interrelated in both genders while gender-specific tendencies increase dimorphism and the several factors making up the differences between maturation types. Fat content was greater in both sexes in the early maturers. Also the developmental rate of prepubertal fat accumulation was faster in the early maturers when compared to those maturing later. Standards for the age change of body composition can therefore inform us not only about the development of bone, muscle and fat in childhood, but also allow a shortrange prediction of pubertal events.Buts: (1) caractériser la maturation sur base du développement de la poitrine chez les filles et du développemen génital chez les garçons, ainsi que l'apparition ou non de la ménarche ou de la spermarche; (2) étudier les différences de composition corporelle pendant la puberté, (3) analyser la composition corporelle d'enfants du même groupe d'âge mais de différents stades de maturation Echantillons: Les sujets de ce sous-échantillon de la 2de étude transversale nationale sont ceux ayant déjà débuté leur développement pubertaire. L'âge chronologique des filles (n = 2673) et des garçons (n = 2869) varie entre 10,0 et 16,0 ans. Méthodes: Le groupe de filles est subdivisé suivant les stades de maturation de la poitrine, alors que les garçons le sont au niveau génital. La maturation a été évaluée visuellement suivant les suggestions de Tanner (1962). Le pourcentage de graisse corporelle est estimé par un modèle de 2 composants (Durnin et Rahaman 1967, Siri 1956), alors que les composants corporels (graisse, muscle, os et masse résiduelle) sont estimés par la méthode Drinkwater et Ross (1980) de fractionnement en 4 composants anthropométriques. Résultats: Les différences sexuelles de composition corporelle, présentes déjà pendant l'enfance, sont encore accentuées pendant la puberté, en raison d'une augmentation de la composante de graisse chez les filles et de la masse corporelle maigre chez les garçons. Chez les filles, celles à maturité précoce avaient un poids plus élévé et avaient plus de masse graisseuse que les filles moins matures. Chez les garçons, l'augmentation de masse graisseuse était moins élevée proportionnelllement à la masse corporelle maigre aussi bien en fonction de l'âge que du stade de maturation. Conclusion: La composition corporelle et le stade de maturation sont étroitement liés dans les deux sexes alors que des tendances sexuelles spécifiques augmentent le dimorphisme sexuel et les différences existant entre stades de maturation. La masse graisseuse est la plus élevée en cas de maturité précoce dans les deux sexes. Des normes de changement avec l'âge de la composition corporelle peut donc nous informer sur le développement osseux, musculaire et graisseux chez l'enfant mais nous permet aussi des prédictions à court terme des changements pubertaires

Evolution séculaire de la croissance et de la maturation sexuelle en Hongrie

The 2nd Hungarian National Growth Study was formed in 2003 to gather data on the biological and psycho-social status of Hungarian children age between 3-18 years. The basic anthropometry includes data of 35 absolute measurements. They give opportunity to estimate physique and body composition by several methods. Along with the estimation of menarcheal or oigarcheal age the stage of sexual maturation is assessed by the secondary sexual characteristics. Data on socio-economic status, style of life, leisure-time activity and dietary habits as potential external factors of growth and development are collected by questionnaires. We intend to complete the study and the analysis of the data in 2006. The subsample discussed in this paper is representative of Central Hungary only (n= 2654 girls, 2580 boys). In this respect it is noted, however, that the regional differences of the previous national study have shown a close similarity between the growth status of the country as a whole and that of the central region. We note how some absolute body dimensions have changed, what modifications are discernible in the rate of growth, and comment on the effects these had on body shape. We also touch upon the inferences that have been arrived at in the study of timing of the secondary sex characteristics and the age at menarche, respectively oigarche. In summarizing these preliminary observations we could state that secular changes are still demonstrable in Hungary in respect of maturation as well as in body height and weight. The cohorts of the present start their maturation earlier, they are taller and heavier than 20 years ago. In addition, the secular changes have been more conspicuous in the upper part of the distribution than in the means. This sort of secular increase in dimensions is usually termed positive. This adjective does, however, not mean something preferable since the increase of weight, BMI and skinfold thickness commonly affects health negatively, they all add to the risk of morbidity. These preliminary data have also shown that the ongoing secular change requires a constant attention of policy-makers in public health as well as a regular updating of growth charts.La 2de étude Nationale Hongroise de Croissance a débuté en 2003 pour collecter des données biologiques et psycho-sociales d'enfants âgés de 3 à 18 ans. L'anthropométrie inclut 35 mesures absolues permettant d' estimer le physique et la composition corporelle. La maturation sexuelle est estimée par la ménarche ou l'oigarche et les stades de maturation sexuelle. Des données concernant le statut socioéconomique, le style de vie, les activités récréatives, les habitudes alimentaires ainsi que des facteurs pouvant potentiellement influencer la croissance ont été collectées par questionnaires. Nous comptons terminer cette étude en 2006. Le sous-échantillon analysé dans cette etude n'est seulement représentatif que de la Hongrie centrale (n= 2654 filles, 2580 garçons). Il est à noter cependant que l'étude nationale précédente montre une similarité étroite entre le mode de croissance national et celui de la région centrale. Par rapport à cette première étude, nous avons observé des changements de mensurations corporelles, de rythme de croissance, de formes corporelles, de timing d'apparition des caractéristiques sexuelles secondaires, d'âge à la ménarche et à l'oigarche. En résumé, ces observations préliminaires montrent que l'évolution séculaire est toujours présente en Hongrie en termes de taille et poids et de maturation. La maturation sexuelle débute plus tôt, et la taille et le poids sont plus élevés qu'il y a 20 ans. Cette évolution est donc qualifiée de positive bien que les augmentations de poids, d'IMC et de plis cutanés affectent le niveau de santé négativement et augmentent les risques de morbidité. Ces données préliminaires montrent également que les changements séculaires impliquent une attention continue des responsables de la politique de santé et donc de surveillance régulière des modes de croissance

Sport Activity Load and Skeletomuscular Robustness in Elite Youth Athletes

In an earlier report, bone mineral reference values for young athletes were developed. This study addressed variations in bone mineral parameters of young athletes participating in sports with different mechanical loads. The bone mineral status of 1793 male and female athletes, 11 to 20 years of age, in several sports was measured with DEXA. Specific bone mineral parameters were converted to z-scores relative to age- and sex-specific reference values specified by the DEXA software. Z-score profiles and principal components analyses were used to identify body structural components in the young athletes and to evaluate the associations between the identified component and type of sport defined by mechanical load. A unique skeletomuscular robusticity of male wrestlers, pentathletes, and cyclists was noted: wrestlers had significantly more developed skeletomuscular robusticity and bone mineral density compared to the age-group average among elite athletes, while pentathletes and cyclists had lower bone mineral parameters than the age-group references among elite athletes. Among female athletes, bone mineral parameters of both the trunk and extremities of rhythmic gymnasts and pentathletes were significantly lower compared to the age-group means for elite athletes. The bone mineral development of elite young athletes varies with the impact forces associated with their respective sports. The skeletal development of cyclists, pentathletes, and rhythmic gymnasts should be monitored regularly as their bone development lags behind that of their athlete peers and the reference for the general population

Carpathian Basin climate according to Koppen and a clothing resistance scheme

The Carpathian Basin climate in the time period 1971-2000 is analyzed in terms of the results obtained by the Koppen method and a clothing resistance scheme. A clothing resistance scheme is based on human body energy balance considerations taking into account human interperson variations as simply as possible. Interperson variations are considered by estimating human body somatotypes using the Heath-Carter somatotype classification method. Non-sweating, walking humans in outdoor conditions are treated. Environmental and human data are taken from the CarpatClim dataset and a Hungarian human dataset, respectively. Though the biophysical bases of the methods are completely different, the spatial structure of thermal climates expressed in terms of Koppen climate types and the clothing resistance parameter r(cl) are basically similar. A clothing resistance scheme creates more information than the Koppen method not only in mountain, plateau areas but also in lowlands. It is shown that more human thermal climate categories can refer to one Koppen climate formula irrespective of which Koppen formulae are considered. The magnitude and area heterogeneity of r(cl) is strongly sensitive to human somatotype changes. A clothing resistance scheme cannot be used in classroom applications; it needs to be drastically simplified while maintaining its sensitivity to somatotype changes in order to be competitive with the Koppen method