bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tracking of blood pressure in children and youth
Authors: Van Lenthe Frank J. , Kemper Han C. G. , Twisk Jos W. R. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractPart of a preventive pediatric strategy against cardiovascular diseases is the early identification of hypertension in childhood. There is a clearly established relationship between blood pressure measured during childhood and at later periods for the same individual. This relationship was investigated in studies of blood pressure tracking in children over the past two decades. This report reviews longitudinal studies that analysed tracking of blood pressure between the ages of 4 and 20 years. The results confirm the existence of tracking, but the statistical relationship seems too weak to justify preventive pediatric strategies based on blood pressure in childhood. However, during adolescence, tracking of blood pressure is affected by the processes of growth and maturation. Methodological problems may have also resulted in underestimation of the amount of tracking. An increase in the number of blood pressure measurements and the use of vertex‐corrected blood pressure values would probably improve tracking. It is important to analyse the improvement in tracking coefficients when these new methods are used in order to determine the maximal extent to which blood pressure in childhood can predict future levels. Recently, several studies that were able to relate blood pressure values from childhood to adulthood suggested that tracking seems to persist over this long period. Together with comparable results from future analyses of studies considered in this review, more detailed information will become available about the predictability of blood pressure in children. Although blood pressure is the best single predictor of future blood pressure, results of this review indicate that its predictability is not sufficiently strong for preventive strategies in childhood. Therefore, the development of blood pressure predictors based on more than one parameter is recommended. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Menarcheal age in central Italy
Authors: Vienna Alessandro , Capucci Enrico 
Published: June 2005

AbstractEstimates of menarcheal age in girls in central Italy based on the status quo and recall methods are compared. Results obtained by the two methods differ significantly in that the recall method underestimates age of menarche even though utmost care was used in data collection (province of Rome: status quo 12.44, retrospective 11.84; Molise: status quo 12.51, retrospective 12.12). Positive and negative aspects of the two methods are discussed. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Application of the Preece‐Baines growth model to cross‐sectional data: Problems of validity and interpretation
Authors: Zemel Babette S. , Johnston Francis E. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe Preece‐Baines growth model (PBGM) is a family of curves that conform to the shape of the human growth curve. It is most often used to analyze longitudinal records on individuals, but it can be applied to cross‐sectional data from population surveys. The purpose of this study was to determine empirically the validity of applying the PBGM to cross‐sectional data to make inferences about the timing and nature of the adolescent growth spurt. Longitudinal records (n = 339) from the Third Harvard Growth Study were analyzed individually using the PBGM. Results for each sex were pooled to characterize longitudinal growth in this population. Ten independent random cross‐sectional samples were generated from the same data set. These were divided by sex and the age means for height were analyzed using the PBGM. Comparisons between the pooled longitudinal estimates and those from the random cross‐sectional samples indicated that the PBGM can accurately estimate the age at peak height velocity in males, as well as other characteristics of the adolescent growth spurt when using cross‐sectional data. In females, spurious results were obtained when cross‐sectional data are used. Possible sources of bias are discussed. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relationship between environment and growth for Mopan children in Belize
Authors: Crooks Deborah L. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe growth status (stature, weight, body mass index, arm circumference, estimated arm muscle and fat) of Mopan Maya children, ages 9–14 years, from San Antonio, Toledo, Belize, is evaluated with two objectives: (1) to identify associations between growth and factors in the household and local environment that coexist with poverty, and (2) to consider growth in relation to the distribution of national resources. One‐way analyses of variance indicate significant differences among z‐scores for indication of growth status by age, although the direction of the differences is not consistent. T‐tests indicate boys exhibit significantly lower z‐scores for weight, arm circumference and estimated arm muscle, but significantly higher z‐scores for estimated arm fat than girls. Although girls suffer preschool malnutrition at twice the rate than boys, the differences may indicate later female buffering for some aspects of growth. T‐tests, correlations and regression analyses indicate the importance of household socio‐economic and demographic factors for growth. Although the equations that best explain the six growth measures are not identical, they indicate the significance of SES, birth order, home environment and gender in explaining variation in the growth of San Antonio children. At the population level, growth faltering is apparent among San Antonio children compared to U.S. reference data, most likely resulting from chronic mild to moderate undernutrition. Low levels of infrastructure in Toledo District and poor access to resources for Mopan Maya in San Antonio probably contribute to the less than optimal growth status. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cross‐sectional anthropometric study of Burmese boys and girls 9–14 years of age with secular comparisons from 1948
Authors: Torretta Oscar , Guerci Antonio , Carossino Paolo , Zin Thant 
Published: June 2005

AbstractSomatic data were collected during January 1992 on 135 boys and 121 girls attending school in Yangon (Rangoon), Burma. The measures of body size (stature, sitting height, lower limb height, shoulder width, hip width, and chest girth), and body form (lower limb height as a percentage of sitting height) were analyzed for central tendency and variability. Comparisons were made with earlier samples of Burmese children measured in 1948, 1957, and 1960 as well as with samples from China, India, and Japan. Lower mean statures suggest that children from low socioeconomic circumstances in Burma are experiencing a negative secular trend that coincides with a declining economy. Before further inferences can be made, additional studies are needed due to the small sample size and restricted socioeconomic strata. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nutritional status among rural Meitei children of Manipur, India
Authors: Gaur Rajan , Singh Ningthoujam Yaima 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe nutritional status of 301 rural Meitei children (5–11 years old, 163 boys and 138 girls) from low socioeconomic backgrounds was evaluated with the help of dietary survey, clinical signs of mineral and vitamin deficiencies, and selected anthropometric dimensions. The diet was cereal and starchy food—based with rice forming the staple food. Potatoes and green grams, were the commonly consumed tubers and pulses, respectively. Consumption of fruits, eggs, milk, and milk products was extremely low. Vitamin A and C deficiencies were the most common. Spongy bleeding gums (19%), and Bitot's spot (11%) and conjunctival xerosis (12%) were the most prevalent clinical signs of vitamin C and A deficiency, respectively. Compared to girls, boys had a significantly higher incidence of deficiency signs. Mean statures and weights are below the 20th percentile of U.S. (NCHS) reference data. The incidence of stunting was substantially more than that of wasting. Nearly 29% of the children had z‐scores 2 S.D. or more below the NCHS median in stature‐for‐age. Only 1.7% of the children had z‐scores 2 S.D. or more below the reference median of weight‐for‐stature. More girls than boys were classified as having normal weight/age, stature/age, and weight/stature. The results are contrary to the common belief that Indian girls are at a nutritional disadvantage compared to boys. Rather, the findings support the concept of better buffering of female than males under conditions of environmental stress. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical growth, nutritional status, and dietary intake of African‐American middle school students from Philadelphia
Authors: Johnston Francis E. , Hallock Robert J. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractAs part of an integrated program of academically based participatory action research, measurements of nutritional status and dietary intakes were collected from 11‐ to 15‐year‐old African‐American youth attending an innercity Philadelphia middle school. Statures and weights were collected on 136 individuals and 24‐hr recalls, distributed across the week, on 113. Using the U.S. reference data, statures were not significantly different from U.S. age/sex means, but weights were significantly greater. With the U.S. Black population (NHANES I and II) serving as a reference for the body mass index, 23.5% of the sample were classed as obese, with a BMI >90th centile. This is greater than has been reported for Philadelphia Whites, for U.S. Blacks in general, or for other samples from the U.S. and Canada. Intakes of vitamins were at or above two‐thirds of RDAs except for vitamin D, with a median of 28.1% of the recommended allowance. Low intakes were also recorded for dietary fiber (36.9% RDA) and zinc, with a median intake of 63% RDA. The median intake of fat was 101.3% RDA, of saturated fat, 102.2% RDA, of cholesterol, 76% RDA, and of polyunsatured fat, 48.2% RDA. The median intake of sodium was 2701 mg, 112.5% RDA. Overall, the data indicate a population with a very high prevalence of obesity, and diets high in saturated fat and low in polyunsaturated fat. Also of potential concern is the indication of low intakes of zinc and high intakes of sodium. Given the increased health risks of urban African‐Americans, these findings on young adolescents suggest the need to develop programs designed to improve diets and enhance health in general in this age group. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maternal/offspring birth month concordance in a Pacific island population
Authors: Underwood Jane H. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractAnalyses of 13,863 births occurring on Guam before 1942 reveal statistically significant concordance of maternal and offspring birth months, accounting for over 17% of recorded births. A secular change by maternal birth year in month of highest concordance level coincides with changing public health measures over this historical period. Together with observed birth order effects, showing decreasing concordance values with increasing birth order rank, these findings suggest an immunological component of observed birth seasonality patterns. The potential effects of maternal‐fetal immunological interactions merit greater consideration in birth seasonality studies among historical and anthropological populations. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Re‐examination of secular change in adult Irish stature
Authors: Relethford John H. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractData from a large cross‐sectional study conducted in the 1930s were used to examine secular changes in adult stature in post‐Famine Ireland. The sample consists of 4061 males and 804 females, who were 30 years of age or older at the time of measurement (mostly in 1935). The Himes–Mueller method was used to adjust stature for the effects of aging so that secular change could be assessed. The linear regression of adjusted stature on year of birth was significant for both males and females, and there was no significant difference in slopes between the sexes. These results show an increase in stature of approximately 0.35–0.40 cm per decade, which is not that different from increases found in other studies of 19th century European populations. No significant curvilinearity was detected. These results show that an earlier analysis of a much smaller portion of the sample was biased due to small numbers. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lipids and apoproteins in relation to participation in organized sport activities and pubertal development in boys
Authors: Zonderland M. L. , Erich W. B. M. , Dortlandt W. , Thijssen J. H. H. , Erkelens D. W. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThis study considers changes in the plasma lipid and apoprotein profiles of boys in relation to participation in organized sport activities and to testosterone (T) levels. Fifty boys, aged 9.9 ± 0.6 years (mean ± S.D.), participated in the study. During a 3 year follow‐up, the following measurements were taken twice a year: stature, weight, and skinfolds. Blood samples for lipids and apoproteins and sex hormone levels, and information on participation in sport activities were also obtained. No relationship was found between participation in organized sport activities and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) or apoprotein A‐I (apo A‐I). The changes of the profile over time in more active boys (participation rate > 3 hr/wk) were similar to those of less active boys (participation rate < 1 hr/wk) (MANOVA, repeated measures, not significant.) Consistent relationships between sex hormones and lipids and apoproteins were restricted to T with total cholesterol (TC), HDL‐C, and apo A‐I, respectively. The common variance ranged from 5.8% (rT,TC) to 18.5% (rT,HDL‐C) (P ⩽ 0.05.) When the boys who reached advanced puberty during the follow‐up period (n = 21) were studied apart from those who did not (n =29), differences were found in TC, apo A‐I, and HDL‐C, TC decreased from 4.6 ± 0.65 to 4.3 ± 0.58 mmol/l in the more advanced pubertal boys, and increased from 4.6 ± 0.90 to 4.8 ± 0.79 mmol/l in the others; apo A‐I decreased from 185 ± to 28.3 to 156 ± 20.4 mg/dl and from 179 ± 20.6 to 176 ± 27.7 mg/dl, respectively (MANOVA, repeated measures, P ⩽ 0.05) HDL‐C was lower in advanced pubertal boys at the end of follow‐up (1.4 ± 0.33 and 1.7 ± 0.38 mmol/l, respectivel; P ⩽ 0.05). The lack of a relationship with regular physical activity may be due to the high levels of HDL‐C and apo A‐I at the begining of the study. On the other hand, the effect of the increasing T levels on HDL‐C and apo A‐I may have overwhelmed the presumed effect of regular physical activitiy. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Secular trend in the age at menarche in Haiti
Authors: Barnes‐Josiah Debora , Augustin Antoine 
Published: June 2005

AbstractTrends in age at menarche of 10,563 pregnant Haitian women enrolled in a longitudinal study of maternal mortality are examined. Mean recalled age at menarche for adult women in the sample was 15.37 years. However, there was a clear decline in mean menarcheal ages from the oldest to the youngest women, with a mean rate of decline for adult women of 0.36 years per decade. Mean menarcheal age was higher in each age group of rural women than for women in the metropolitan Port‐au‐Prince area; the rate of decline for adult rural women (0.37 years per decade) was nonsignificantly higher than that for adult metropolitan women (0.30 years per decade). The data suggest a secular decline in age at menarche in Haiti, as well as a continuing disparity between metropolitan and rural women. A declining age at menarche has important implications for fertility and reproductive health in Haiti, and may reflect a gradual improvement in health and nutritional status. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hypovitaminosis A: A model for sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Skinner Mark 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is unknown. It is the leading cause of death from age one month to one year in North America. The purpose of this essay is to generate some testable hypotheses as to the cause of SIDS by drawing attention to distinct epidemiological parallels between SIDS and a newly recognized form of enamel hypoplasia, termed localized hypoplasia of the primary canine tooth (LHPC), which has been attributed to vitamin A deficiency. LHPC and SIDS share a common epidemiological profile: winter seasonality, occurrence at 3–5 months, and affecting apparently healthy children, but with increased incidence in socio economically disadvantaged families particularly racial/ethnic minorities (except Hispanics who show a reduced incidence), previously compromised infant health, less prenatal counselling, and less breastfeeding. Vitamin A has pervasive functions throughout the body including bone growth and maintenance of epithelial membranes. It is proposed that SIDS is due in part to hypovitaminosis A through one of several mechanisms: imbalanced basicranial growth producing mechanical constriction on the respiratory nerves passing through the jugular foramen; or through compromised myelination and/or maturation of the brain stem and cranial nerves involved in respiration; or through pharyngeal collapse due to mandibular undergrowth; or dysfunction of hypoxia‐sensitive epithelial cells in the trachea. It is recommended that assay of hypoxia‐sensitive epithelial cells in the trachea. It is recommended that assay of the retinyl ester content of the liver of SIDS victims be included in autopsy protocol. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Secular changes in the stature, weight, and age at maximum growth increments of urban Chinese girls from the 1950s to 1985
Authors: Ji Cheng‐Ye , Ohsawa Seiji , Kasai Naomi 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThis study focuses on changes in the stature, weight, and age at maximum increments in Chinese urban girls 7–17 years of age between the 1950s and 1985. The data come from anthropometric surbeys in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1985 in 17 Chinese cities. An overall increasing trend is apparent for stature and weight. The average increments are 1.91 cm and 0.57 kg per decade for 7 year olds, 3.43 cm per decade for 11 year olds, 2.11 kg per decade for 13 year olds, and 1.27 cm and 0.73 kg per decade for 17 year olds. Girls in 1985 attained peak growth earlier, by 1.08 years or 0.04 year/decade, than girls in the generation 30 years earlier. Specific comprisons of changes in body size and age at maximum increments during 1950–1960, 1960–1970, and 1970–1985 are also reported, and the results are compared with those of other countries or groups. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Secular changes in the stature and mass of Western Australian secondary school children
Authors: Blanksby Brian A. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractAnthropometric data for 4,683 Western Australian secondary school chidren from the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia, were compared with figures compiled in 1940 from the same area. In the 44 year period, the average stature of 12‐ to 18‐year‐old males increased by approximately 4% in each 1 year age band and average body mass increased by 15%. Over the same period, girls of similar age showed stature increases with a mean value of 2% for each 1 year age group and average mass increases of 11%. The magnitude of the secular increase declined with age from 12 to 17 years. Standard deviations for the 1940 data were not presented; hence, the statistical significance of any difference between mean values could not be established. The body mass index (BMI) estimates from 1940 were lower at all ages for both sexes than the actual BMI data from 1984. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative study of statural growth in Spanish populations
Authors: Rosique Javier , Rebato Esther 
Published: June 2005

AbstractRegional differences in the growth of Spanish children were studied by fitting the Preece‐Baines Model I to cross‐sectional stature data. The function parameters and derived biological variables were used to compare children from seven different studies. Regional differences in growth are interpreted as a result of a geographic variation among Spanish provinces in demographic, public health and nutritional conditions. There are differences between urban samples depending on region. Adult stature (h1) and the pattern of growth differ between urban and rural populations from the interior lands. Males from urban Extremadura, Barcelona and the Basque Country show the tallest adult statures. Adult statures of males from Segovia, Extremadura emigrants and Cuenca are not only the lowest, but the growth pattern shows delay in estimated ages at take‐off and PHV compared to the other populations. Estimated age at PHV is later for all male samples compared to Vizcaya, except for the sample of Barcelona‐I. Females from Barcelona‐II, Segovia and the Basque Country show the tallest adult statures (h1). All of the female samples, except that of urban Extremadura, have an earlier estimated age at PHV compared to the sample from Vizcaya. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stability of somatotypes: A longitudinal study of Belgian children age 6 to 17 years
Authors: Hebbelinck Marcel , Duquet William , Borms Jan , Carter J. E. Lindsay 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the stability of somatotypes in Belgian children and adolescents, 52 boys and 30 girls, followed longitudinally from 6 to 17 years of age. The anthropometric Heath‐Carter somatotypes, with a stature correction for endomorphy, were estimated at 1‐year intervals. Mean somatotypes were most different between the earliest and oldest ages in both boys and girls. For boys, the means from 9 to 13 years and from 14 to 17 years did not differ. Means were 2‐4‐2½, 2½‐4‐4, and 2‐4‐4 at 6, 12, and 17 years, respectively. The scatter of somatotypes about their means was smallest at 6–8 years and greatest at 11–13 years in both boys and girls (P <0.05). For girls, the mean somatotypes from 8 or 9 years through adolescence were not different, although they tended to become more meso‐endomorphic. Means were 2‐4½‐2½, 3‐4‐3½, and 3½‐3½‐3 at 6, 12, and 17 years, respectively. The average migratory distance for boys was 6.4 (range = 3.7–12.9) and 7.8 (3.9–21.8) for girls. Many subjects had changes that were three to four times greater than others. Boys were lower in ectomorphy at 6–8 years than at older ages, while girls were higher in mesomorphy at 6 than at 12–17 years (P <.05). Interage partial correlations for each component were highest (r2 ⩾ .49) between adjacent years, but were poor to moderate as time intervals increased. The findings of this longitudinal study confirm and further define the instability of somatotypes previously observed in cross‐sectional studies of Belgian children and adolescents. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inbreeding effects on reproductive outcome among seven tribes of Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Naidu J. M. , Babu B. V. , Kusuma Y. S. , Yasmin  , Devi S. Sachi 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThe effects of inbreeding on reproductive outcome in terms of fertility and mortality were analyzed in seven tribal populations from Andhra Pradesh, India. The effect on mortality at both prenatal and prereproductive postnatal stages was further verified after estimating genetic load by an exponential regression model. Relatively higher fertility and mortality rates were recorded among consanguineous marriages than nonconsanguineous unions in the majority of tribes. The regression analysis indicated a positive, nonsignificant association between inbreeding and mortality in five tribes. Low B/A ratios were found in five tribes. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.