QUALITATIVE EXAMINATION OF ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS OF GROWTH IN CHILDREN AGED 5 OF TWO NATIONALITIES

Abstract

Evaluation of sex-specific differences of anthropometric parameters as indicator of growth and nutritional status in preschool children, using self-organizing maps. The study included a total of 200 healthy 5-year-old preschool children of Macedonian and Albanian nationality. Twelve anthropometric parameters were measured, defining longitudinal, circular and transversal dimensionality of the skeleton using standard technique and instruments for measurement. The qualitative examination was detected with self-organizing maps. The following indices were selected and calculated: weight-for –age; height-for-age and BMI. Sex-specific differences for almost all anthropometric parameters were detected, but they were not significant. Girls showed higher values than boys regarding height and weight, but BMI values were not significant. The values at the 50th percentile in girls were 20 kg for BW, 115.4 cm for BH and 15.64 kg/m². The values of these parameters in boys were 20 kg for BW, 113.2.cm for BH and 15.94 for kg/m² for BMI. In Albanian nationality these parameters were higher in girls 20kg for BW, 110cm in BH and for BMI 16.28 for kg/m². In boys they were 20 kg, for BH 107.1 cm and for BMI 16.68 kg/m². The obtained results can be used for criteria in assessment and detecting deviations in growth and nutritional status in preschool children.