ALMAGIA FLORES, Atilio Aldo, GUROVICH MIRET, Alvaro, IVANOVIC MARINCOVICH, Daniza et al.
Abstract : The objective of this investigation was to determine the body compositions of males and females from different age groups, and to establish a set of standards which could then be used by professionals working in the area of healthcare. The standards would provide valid statisitics and information about the variability and dimorphic differences in body content between the sexes concerning the amount of body fat, bone and muscle mass in our population. The total number of students in the departments of Basic Education (BE) and Secondary Education (SE) was 56,237 (composite of both male and female). A sample of 1,029 students was selected to give a confidence level of above 95%. The methodology of Durning and Womersley was used. The equations of Durning and Womersley have been validated as appropriate for the Chilean population by Apud (1980). A statistical analysis using test F was performed, as well as a corresponding variance analysis for the three body components in consideration. The results were stratified by age groups for purposes ofcomparison. The results indicate that the males tested, had an average MG of 13.21% to 19.72%, which was less than the MG of the females tested, who had average MG of 17.36% to 26.92%. A peak in the MG level for females was observed in 9 year olds. After a decrease in the MG levels in 11 year old females, there was a strong and constant increase between the ages of 12 and 23 years, with CV% relatively low at 13-16 % (DS 3-4). The bone mass in males was greatest between the ages of 9 and 17. The muscle mass (MM), which showed a greater CV% in males than females. Consistently, in males from 12 to 17 years old, MM was about 41.8% greater than in women above the ages of 69 years old. The results obtained in the sample population between the ages of 6 and 23 years for both sexes, provided sufficient evidence to propose a "General Structural and Morphological Profile for the Chilean Population" to be applied to health programs, and for sports in recreation or competition
Keywords: Body Composition; Anthropometry; Physical Anthropology; Morphology
Rev. chil. anat., 1997, vol.15, no.2, p.141-149. (Full text available in Spanish).
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