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Anthropometry and body composition in ethnic Japanese and Caucasian adolescent girls: considerations on ethnicity and menarche

International Journal of Obesity volume 27, pages 1114–1120 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the various anthropometric and body composition parameters based on the ethnicity and the absence or presence of menarche.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with incomplete sampling, using the subject as the evaluation unit.

SUBJECTS: The final sample of 550 subjects was composed of 122 Japanese and 179 Caucasian premenarcheal adolescents, and 72 Japanese and 177 Caucasian postmenarcheal adolescents.

METHODS: The variables of body composition were measured through the following methods: bioelectrical impedance analysis, near-infrared interactance (NIR), Slaughter cutaneous skinfold equations and body mass index. Weight, height and sitting height were also evaluated.

RESULTS: The Japanese pre- and postmenarcheal girls presented lower weight and height values when compared with the Caucasian girls. In general, the Japanese premenarcheal girls presented less fat and fat-free mass than the premenarcheal Caucasian girls. This fact was demonstrated through NIR results. Conversely, the Japanese postmenarcheal adolescents accumulated more fat than their Caucasian counterparts. However, significant differences were solely encountered in the values of cutaneous skinfold percent body fat. With regard to menarche, it was verified that, regardless of ethnicity, all the anthropometric and body composition variables reached higher values among postmenarcheal adolescents when compared with premenarcheal adolescents.

CONCLUSION: Different results of weight and height between the ethnic groups may bring back the discussion concerning separate growth curves for different ethnic groups. The results of the body composition analysis indicated high adiposity levels among postmenarcheal adolescents.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the directors, assistants, gymnastics teachers and participant pupils of the following São Paulo schools for their collaboration on the present study: Anglo Latino, Mater et Magistra, Itamaraty, Roberto Norio, São José, Pioneiro, Ursa Maior, Anglo-Brasileiro, Brasília, Radial, Oshiman, Montessori, Bilac, Renovação and Madre Cabrini, as well as the Caramuru and Hongwanji Scout groups and the Shohaku language school. We would also like to thank the ‘Fundação Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior’ (CAPES) for the provision of grants and financial aid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Post-graduate in Nutrition, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, Rua Marselhesa, São Paulo, Brazil

    M A Sampei, F A B Colugnati & D M Sigulem

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil

    N F Novo & Y Juliano

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  1. M A Sampei
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  2. N F Novo
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  3. Y Juliano
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  4. F A B Colugnati
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  5. D M Sigulem
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Correspondence to M A Sampei.

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Sampei, M., Novo, N., Juliano, Y. et al. Anthropometry and body composition in ethnic Japanese and Caucasian adolescent girls: considerations on ethnicity and menarche. Int J Obes 27, 1114–1120 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802374

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