Secular Changes in Body Morphology and Fat Patterning in Moscow Children and Adolescents

Abstract

The trend towards overweight and obesity is one of the most researched and discussed topics in modern auxology. However changes in body proportions and the distribution of the subcutaneous fat layer are much less studied. The aim of the present paper is to follow recent secular changes in body measurements and fat patterning in Moscow children. Data used in this cross-sectional study were collected in 2012–16. 1800 boys and girls aged 7 to 17 years were investigated in several Moscow schools located in different city areas. The children were mostly of Russian ethnicity, born in Moscow. The program included about 50 measurements taken according to standard techniques. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (kg) divided by height (m)2. Stages of secondary sexual characteristics were assessed, age at menarche was evaluated by status quo method. Obtained data were compared with the previous survey of Moscow children (2300 children of both sexes of the same age interval) conducted in 1996–99 by the same authors and under the same research protocol. It was shown that modern children surpass their peers of the previous survey in height, weight and BMI. There were distinct changes in body proportions in modern Moscow children expressed in an increase of trunk length and shortening of leg length. In boys there were also some changes in shoulder width which was smaller than in their peers in the previous studies. All the circumferences and skinfolds were bigger in modern children. One of the most distinctive features was the increase of the fat layer on the trunk in subscapular and abdominal areas. The trend towards earlier sexual maturation was also found. As similar changes were found by the authors earlier for some other Russian populations, it can be concluded that the processes of secular trend are continuing in Russia in some specific form.

DOI: 10.5671/ca.48.4.1