<b>Evaluation of excess body fat in adolescents: use of different anthropometric indicators</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v33i1.8585

Abstract

This study aimed to assess excess weight, fat and adiposity in adolescents according to different anthropometric indicators, as well to identify differences in body composition between the genders. We investigated 139 adolescents (10-17 years of age) from Lapa, Paraná State. Information was collected on body mass, height, and waist circumference (WC) and tricipital and subscapular skinfolds. Body mass index (BMI) and fat percentage (F%) were calculated. We used the t test to compare mean values of anthropometric variables between the genders and the chi-square test to analyze differences in the prevalence between the genders. Girls had higher mean values for tricipital skinfold (p < 0.001) and F% (p < 0.001) compared to boys. Excess weight was observed in 24.5% of adolescents, and boys showed a higher prevalence than females (p = 0.032). More than a third of adolescents surveyed fit the condition of health risk for WC, with no differences between the genders (p = 0.124). Excess body fat was detected in 46.0% of adolescents; this outcome was more prevalent in females (p = 0.041). High central adiposity was more prevalent in males (p = 0.005). The findings of this study indicated that different anthropometric indicators may provide different prevalence of excess weight/body fat in adolescents. Furthermore, we observed differences in body composition between the genders, and high F% was more prevalent in girls, whereas overweight, evaluated by BMI, and central obesity were more prevalent in boys.