Sitting-height measures are related to body mass index and blood pressure levels in children

Abstract

Objective: Sitting height (SH) is an important parameter in the evaluation of children with grow th and pubertal disorders. Besides this, it has been viewed as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk, which is increased in adults with relatively short legs. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body proportions and cardiovascular risk markers in children. Subjects and methods: Eight hundred and seventeen children aged 6-13 years were evaluated. Weight, height, sitting-height (SH), sitting-height/height (SH/H), body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) were assessed and converted to standard deviation scores (SDS) for age and sex. Statistical analyses were performed. Results: There was a positive association of BMI SDS with SH and SH/H SDS (p < 0.001). Overweight children showed SH 0.8 SDS superior to eutrophic children (p < 0.001). SH SDS was also directly related to BP SDS, but this association was not independent of the association between obesity and BP when assessed by multiple regression analyzes. Conclusion: Measures of SH are strongly associated with BMI and BP in children, although the association between SH and BP is probably dependent on the association of both those variables with BMI. This is (an) important information for correct interpretation of SH values in children. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(8):802-6 Keywords Sitting height; obesity; hypertension; children RESUMO Objetivo: A altura sentada (sitting height, SH) é um importante parâmetro na avaliação de crianças com distúrbios do crescimento e da puberdade. Além disso, tem sido vista como um marcador de risco cardiovascular, aumentado em adultos com pernas relativamente curtas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre proporções corporais e marcadores de risco cardiovascular em crianças. Sujeitos e métodos: Oitocentas e dezessete crianças de 6 a 13 anos foram avaliadas. Peso, altura, altura sentada (SH), altura sentada/total (SH/H), índice de massa corpó-rea (IMC) e pressão arterial (PA) foram avaliados e convertidos em Z escores ajustados para sexo e idade. Análises estatísticas apropriadas foram desenvolvidas. Resultados: Houve associação positiva do Z-IMC com o SH e o SH/H (p < 0,001). Crianças com excesso de peso demonstraram Z-SH 0,8 superior ao de crianças eutróficas (p < 0,001). O Z-SH também apresentou correlação direta com o Z-PA, mas essa associação não foi independente da relação entre IMC e PA quando analisada por meio de regressão linear múltipla. Conclusão: Medidas de SH são fortemente associadas ao IMC e PA em crianças, embora a associação entre SH e PA seja provavelmente dependente da associação de ambas as variáveis com o IMC. Essa é uma importante informação para a correta interpretação dos valores de SH em crianças. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(8):802-6 Descritores Altura sentada; obesidade; hipertensão; crianças

The relationship between sitting height, sitting height to height ratio with blood pressure among Polokwane private school children aged 6–13 years

“…Similar findings were reported among Chinese [9], Brazilian [8] and rural South African [10] children and adolescents. The possible explanation for these findings could be that BP at the heart level must surpass the hydrostatic pressure induced by vertical distance between the heart and the head, to ensure an adequate perfusion of a child's brain [23].…”

“…SH not SH/H was reported to be associated with BP in Brazilian children [8]. Furthermore, Dong et al [9] study exhibited that SH was associated with BP in Chinese children and adolescents.…”

The relationships between height and arm span, mid-upper arm and waist circumferences and sum of four skinfolds in Ellisras rural children aged 8–18 years

“…Yabanci et al (10) reported MUAC to be a predictor of height in the age group 7-10 years, while waist circumference was not a predictor of height for both sexes. Even though sitting height was reported to be a better predictor of total BMI (1,26) , there has been no study showing the correlation between height and sum of four skinfolds.…”

Prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among children and adolescents with different sitting height ratios in Shandong, China

“…Variations in SHR found in or between different population groups may be associated with variations in BMI of some 5 kg/m 2 , with weight and composition being kept constant [7]. Some researchers reported a positive association of SHR with BMI and body fat percentage [8,9]. Body shape is also an important determinant of risk status.…”