| Keywords |
Children ; Body size ; Broca index ; Body surface area |
| Abstract |
The body shape and body surface area(BSA) is a basic physiologic anthropometry of interest in children in growing process. This study was proposed to explore the body shape using a Broca index and body surface area(BSA) using a Boyd-, Dubois-, and Mosteller-formulas, then explore the relationship between body shape and BSA in 2197 4th~6th schoolers. The results revealed, surprisingly, only 42% belonged to the average shape while rest of them were either under average(36.4%) or over average(21.6%). The extreme pattern of either very skinny or severely obese was observed in 22%. It may be accounted for by deviated favor towards skinny body shape due to fast modernization and the nutritional imbalance due to prevail availability of junk food and rather than the lack of nutrition in children. As well, the validity of three BSA formulas was supported in schoolers with average shape. However, wide variation in BSA estimation was observed in cases of skinny or obese schoolers particularly using Boyd- or Dubois-formulas while the Mosteller one showed a minimum variation across body shapes. Careful caution is needed in application BSA formula to children of various physical shapes such as skinny or obese. As well the classification of body shape including skinny, average or obese shape, needs to be understood in terms of growth process of children and the evolutionary adaptedness to environments in those population. |