Variables affecting the probability of complete fusion of the medial clavicular epiphysis

In this study, we have combined data on clavicle fusion from different studies and applied a binomial logistic regression analysis. As such, we aimed to assess whether or not variables such as sex, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity influence the probability of having mature, i.e., completely fused clavicles at a given age. We further explored whether the method of clavicle examination, i.e., diagnosis from either a dry bone specimen, an examination of X-rays, or an examination of computed tomography scans, affects the probability of being diagnosed with mature clavicles. It appeared that only ethnicity did not significantly affect this probability. Finally, we illustrated how the logit model may be used to predict the probability of being diagnosed with mature clavicles

Growth status and menarcheal age among adolescent school girls in Wannune, Benue State, Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Menarcheal age is a sensitive indicator of environmental conditions during childhood. The aim of study is to determine the age at menarche and growth status in adolescents in a rural area of Tarka, Wannune, Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data on 722 female students (aged 12-18 years) were collected in February 2009. Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI; kg m^-2) was used as an index of relative weight.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean and median menarcheal age calculated by probit analysis were 13.02 (SD 3.0) (95% CI: 13.02-13.07), and age 13.00 (SD 2.8) (95% CI: 12.98-13.04), respectively. Girls who reach menarche are significantly heavier and taller with higher BMIs than those of their pre-menarcheal peers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The age of menarche is probably still declining in Nigeria. Although BMI is an important factor in the onset of menstruation, some other unmeasured environmental variables may be implicated in this population.</p

Bone Geopolitics: Bone Age and the Racialization of Growth in UK and US Pediatrics (1940-1980)

International audienc

Composição corporal em crianças de sete a 10 anos de idade, de alto nível socioeconômico Body composition in seven-to-ten-year old children of high socioeconomic status

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a composição corporal de crianças de sete a 10 anos de idade, de alto nível socioeconômico. Para tanto, 511 crianças (274 meninos e 237 meninas) foram submetidas a medidas antropométricas de massa corporal, estatura e espessuras de dobras cutâneas tricipital (TR) e subescapular (SE). Com base nessas informações, foram determinados: gordura corporal relativa (% Gordura), massa corporal magra (MCM), distribuição da gordura corporal (DGC) e o somatório da espessura das dobras cutâneas TR e SE (&#931;EDC). Anova two-way foi utilizada para as comparações entre os sexos e os diferentes grupos etários, seguida pelo teste post hoc de Scheffé quando P < 0,05. Para a classificação das crianças, de acordo com as categorias de adiposidade corporal, foi utilizada distribuição de freqüência. O teste de comparação entre proporções foi adotado para verificar as diferenças entre os sexos, em cada categoria (P < 0,05). Diferenças significantes entre os sexos (P < 0,05) foram verificadas na dobra TR (meninas > meninos) e na MCM (meninos > meninas). Efeito significante da idade foi identificado em todas as variáveis analisadas, exceto na DGC, com os valores mais elevados sendo encontrados no grupo etário de 10 anos. Um percentual elevado, tanto de meninos quanto de meninas, apresentou índice de adiposidade alto, com superioridade para os meninos (28% vs. 14%, P < 0,01). Por outro lado, um contingente maior de meninas apresentou concentrações de gordura corporal relativa abaixo dos pontos de corte desejáveis (15% vs. 3%, P < 0,01). Os valores de adiposidade corporal encontrados no presente estudo sugerem que um percentual elevado de crianças, de ambos os sexos, já apresenta importantes fatores de risco à saúde, em idades precoces.<br>The objective of this study was to analyze the body composition of seven to 10 year-old children of high socioeconomic status. Therefore, 511 children (274 boys and 237 girls) were submitted to body mass, height and triceps (TR) and subscapular (SE) skinfolds thickness anthropometric measurement. Based on this information, the following topics were determined: relative body fat (% Fat), lean body mass (LBM), body fat distribution (BFD) and sum of the thickness of the TR and SE skinfolds (£TSF). Two-way ANOVA was used for comparisons between gender and the different age groups, followed by the Scheffé post hoc test when P < 0.05. For the children classification according to the categories of body adiposity, frequency distribution was used. A test of comparison between ratios was adopted to verify the differences between gender in each category (P < 0.05). Significant differences between gender (P < 0.05) were verified in TR skinfold (girls > boys) and in LBM (boys > girls). Significant age effect was identified in all analyzed variables, except for DBF, with the highest values having been found in the 10 year-old group. A high percentage both for boys and girls presented high adiposity index, with superiority for boys (28% vs. 14%, P < 0.01). On the other hand, a larger number of girls presented relative body fat concentrations below the desirable cutting points (15% vs. 3%, P < 0.01). The values of body adiposity found in the present study suggest that a high percentage of children from both gender already present important health risk factors at early ages