International BMI-for-age references underestimate thinness and overestimate overweigth and obesity in Bolivian adolescents Las referencias internacionales de IMC por edad subestiman delgadez y sobreestiman sobrepeso y obesidad en adolescentes bolivianos

Background: Since no growth standards for adolescents exist and a single reference applicable everywhere is still in debate, it is recognized that the best reference should be derived from the growth pattern of the healthy population that will use it. In 2007 a study developed references for body mass index for 12th to 18th y Bolivian school adolescent (BAP. Objectives: To compare nutritional status outcomes applying BMI references from the BAP, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 2000, the International Task Force (IOTF), and the 2007 WHO, to determine appropriateness of use in Bolivian adolescents. Subjects/methods: References were applied in 3306 adolescents, 45.0% male, 55% female, 12th to 18th y selected from a nationally representative sample. Results: Main findings reveal that the CDC and the 2007 WHO underestimate underweight (p Introducción: Puesto que no existen estándares de crecimiento para adolescentes y la aplicación de una sola referencia a nivel mundial es aún debatible, se reconoce que la mejor referencia es aquella derivada del patrón de crecimiento de la población saludable en la que será posteriormente utilizada. Por ello en 2007 se efectuó un estudio para desarrollar la Referencia Boliviana de IMC poredad (BAP) para adolescentes entre 12 a 18 años). Objetivos: Comparar la clasificación de adolescentes por categorías nutricionales, aplicando las referencias de IMC boliviano (BAP), la referencia CDC 2000, los puntosde corte de IOTF y de la OMS, 2007. Métodos y población: Las referencias se aplicaron a los datos medidos de peso y talla de 3.306 adolescentes, 45% varones y 55% mujeres seleccionados de una muestrarepresentativa de la población boliviana. Resultados: Se observa que CDC y OMS 2007 subestiman la prevalencia de delgadez (P < 0,001) mientras que las tres referencias internacionales sobreestiman el sobrepeso(p < 0,001) con variaciones por edad y género. Conclusión: Se recomienda al personal de salud boliviano reemplazar las referencias CDC, IOTF y OMS 2007 por la Referencia BAP, la cual refleja el patrón de crecimiento de la población de adolescentes saludables. Las referencias internacionales pueden conducir a conclusiones erróneas cuando se aplican en la población boliviana. Su uso puede desperdiciar esfuerzos y recursos en poblaciones que no necesitan intervención, mientras desatienden aquellas que verdaderamente lo necesitan

Antropometría de importancia cardio-metabólica. Referencias bolivianas para adolescentes

Anthropometry is a fundamental tool in the cardioendocrinologic diagnosis. However, Bolivia has no national anthropometric references for the analysis of teenagers. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to develop percentile values and graphics for weight, height, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and abdominal circumference (AC) for teenagers from 12 to 18 years of age, with a particular focus on the acquisition of the necessary cut points for the clinical diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. The objective was also to show the differences between the different cut points of international references (CDC 2000, IOTF and 2007 WHO). Values come from the MESA study (metabolic syndrome in Bolivian teenagers)obtained from 32 samples, observing the sample proportionality with replacement. Trained staff assessed 3445 teenagers from 12 to 18 years of age, 45% men and 55% women, from urban and rural schools, following the standardized procedures. Weight, AC and blood pressure were measured. BMI was calculated by formula. Percentiles 3o, 5o, 10o, 25o, 50o, 75o, 85o, 90o, 95o and 97o are presented using regression and softened by the LMS method. Anthropometric references for Bolivian teenagers are presented for their use by the medical and scientific community

Anthropometry of height, weight, arm, wrist, abdominal circumference and body mass index, for Bolivian adolescents 12 to 18 years; Bolivian adolescent percentile values from the MESA study

Anthropometry is important as clinical tool for individual follow-up as well as for planning and health policymaking at population level. Recent references of Bolivian Adolescents are not available. The aim of this cross sectional study was to provide age and sex specific centile values and charts of Body Mass Index, height, weight, arm, wrist and abdominal circumference from Bolivian Adolescents. Data from the MEtabolic Syndrome in adolescents (MESA) study was used. Thirty-two Bolivian clusters from urban and rural areas were selected randomly considering population proportions, 3445 school going adolescents, 12 to 18 y, 45% males; 55% females underwent anthropometric evaluation by trained personnel using standardized protocols for all interviews and examinations. Weight, height, wrist, arm and abdominal circumference data were collected. Body Mass Index was calculated. Smoothed age- and gender specific 3rd, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th, 90th, 95th and 97th Bolivian adolescent percentiles(BAP) and Charts(BAC) where derived using LMS regression. Percentile-based reference data for the antropometrics of for Bolivian Adolescents are presented for the first time