Geographical altitude, size, mass and body surface area in children (1–4 years) in the Province of Jujuy (Argentina)

Abstract

Background: Highland child populations show low growth rates.

Aim: To evaluate the variation of size, mass and body surface area of Jujenean infants (1–4 years) as a function of geographic altitude.

Subjects and methods: Nutritional status of 8059 healthy infants was determined based on weight and height data; body mass index, ponderal index, body surface area, body surface area/mass and ectomorphy were calculated. Variables were standardized with a provincial mean and WHO references. Data were grouped by age, sex and geographic altitude: Highlands (≥2500 masl) and Lowlands (<2500 masl). Chi-square, correlation and t-tests were applied.

Results: Highlands infants had higher prevalence of stunting, reduced height, weight, body surface area and ectomorphy; also higher body mass index, ponderal index and body surface area/mass. The population average z-score for height, weight and body surface area was positive in Lowlands and negative in Highlands. The opposite happened with body mass index, ponderal index and body surface area/mass. In Highlands and Lowlands the average z-score reference was negative for weight and height and positive for body mass index. Correlations between indices were high and significant, higher in Highlands.

Conclusion: Jujenean children differ in size, mass and body surface area based on the geographical altitude and adverse nutritional and socioeconomic factors.

• Body mass
• body size
• body surface area
• geographical altitude
• infants
• Jujuy

Acknowledgements

The authors thank authorities and responsible officers of the Primary Care Program of the Ministry of Health of the Province of Jujuy) who provided the data used in this work.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.