ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MACEDONIAN CHILDREN AT THE AGE OF 9-14 YEARS

The main aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the anthropometric characteristics and their age and sex-specific differences in Macedonian children at the age of 9-14 years. Subjects and methods: This study included 1164 healthy children at the age of 9-14 years, from Macedonian ethnicity and urban origin. The following anthropometric measurements were taken to evaluate the anthropometric status: height, sitting height, lengths of the extremities, body weight, four circumferences, six diameters and nine skin-folds. The measurements were done according to the International Biological Program with standard equipment and methodology. Results: All investigated anthropometric parameters showed significant age and sex differences (p< 0.001), and different periods of pubertal growth: earliest, body height (between 9-10 years); followed others longitudinal and transversal body dimensions (11-13 years); body weight (12-13 years); and at the end skin-folds and pelvic diameters (after 13 year). The skin-folds decreased in boys between the age of 10 and 11 years. Conclusion: All investigated anthropometric parameters in Macedonian children aged from 9-14 years show elevation during the age categories and expression of the sex dimorphism.