Anthropometric and body composition characteristics of the Xo Dang ethnic minority children aged 11 - 14 at ethnic semi-boarding schools in Kon Tum province, 2018

Abstract

Understanding the anthropometric characteristics and body composition of children by ethnicity, region and age are essential. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,138 children among 11 - 14 year old from semiboarding schools in Kon Tum province in 2018 to describe the anthropometric and body composition characteristics of Xo Dang ethnic. Results showed that the average weight of children (32.4kg in boys and 34.9kg in girls) and the height were corresponding (138.3cm và 140.7 cm) lower than children of the same type of student and age groups of other ethnic groups in recent studies. Mean height for age Zscore boys was (-2.27 ± 0.92), and girls was (-2.04 ± 0.85), belongs to the threshold identifed as stunting; Mean the total body fat percentage (%BF) and fat mass (FM) was increases gradually and signifcantly different among the age group in girls pupils (p < 0.001). Mean of %BF and FM in females was higher than that of males (p < 0.001). Mean of fat-free mass (FFM) and predicted muscle mass (PMM) in both genders increased gradually between age groups (p < 0.001). From the results obtained, researchers could propose nutritional interventions solutions for junior high school students in Xo Dang ethnic minority in particular and junior high schools in Kon Tum province in general.