The dynamics of nutritional status indicators in elementary school children

Poor nutritional status is a major problem currently faced by children, so the aim of this research was to determine the dynamics of nutritional status indicators in one generation of elementary school children. The study was conducted on a sample of 107 school children observed for four years. Body height, body mass, back skinfold, forearm skinfold and arm circumference were measured. Body mass index and body fat percentage were also measured and the children’s nutritional status was determined. Trend analysis of nutritional status indicators was performed by polynomial regression analysis. Study results showed that the participants’ nutritional status estimated by body mass index and body fat percentage diff ered and that there was a signifi cant infl uence of time on the indicators of nutritional status in both genders. Poor nutritional status was more frequently recorded in boys than in girls, unlike several years ago when girls had poorer nutritional status than boys.

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