The frequency of significant relationships between body weight and height and parameters of trunk among 4–6-year-old children of both sexes and environments

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The purpose of the research is to demonstrate the frequency of significant relationships between body weight and height and selected parameters of trunk.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted among children aged 4–6 years during the period of 3 years, in 6 half-year intervals and enabled the recording of 2,988 observations of 41 parameters of trunk, weight and height of the body. The photogrammetric method, relying on projection-type moire photography, was applied to measure the selected parameters.

Results: The frequency of significant relationships between body height and body parameters was 21.42%, and body weight 14.28%. The prevalence of significant relationships regarding body height was 14.28% for sex and 4.76% for body weight (for girls, 7.14% and 9.52% respectively).

Conclusions: 1. Among 4–6-year-old children, body height is significantly more frequently related to the parameters of trunk than body weight, and the parameters mainly concern the sagittal plane. There is no significantly frequent relationship between trunk parameters and body weight and height. 2. Among boys, body height is significantly more frequently related to the parameters of trunk than weight. Among girls, the frequency of these relationships is similar and at a lower level. As regards children from rural areas, body height is more frequently related with the parameters of trunk than body weight, whereas in urban areas body weight is more frequently related with trunk parameters. 3. The most frequent relationships between body height and trunk parameters are reported in boys living in rural areas, and are not observed in towns and cities. The relationships of body weight are sporadic. Among girls living in towns and villages, the frequency of these relationships is at a low and stable level. However, the frequency of relationships of body height is lowest in urban areas.