BACKGROUND: Adiponectin is an adipocytokine that is highly specific to adipose tissue. In contrast to other adipocytokine, the adiponectin levels are decreased in obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. There are few studies regarding the correlation between the adiponectin concentration and obesity in children. Thus, whether the serum adiponectin concentrations are associated with adiposity in children was investigated. METHODS: One hundred and sixty four subjects were selected from the participants in an ongoing study on the relationship between birth weight and insulin resistance in children. The current weights, heights, body fat percentages, waist circumferences, blood pressures, lipid profiles and insulin resistance, by the HOMA method, were measured in all the subjects. The serum adiponectin concentrations were determined by a validated sandwich ELISA, using a human adiponectin-specific antibody. RESULTS: The serum adiponectin concentration was negatively correlated with the body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, insulin resistance by HOMA and serum triglycerides, and positively correlated with the serum HDL cholesterol level. The serum adiponectin concentrations in the boys were significantly lower than in the girls. In a multiple regression analysis, the serum adiponectin concentration was strongly associated with waist circumference and gender. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that there was an inverse relationship between the serum adiponectin concentration and abdominal adiposity in children. However, further studies on independent gender differences on adiponectin are needed.
Adiponectin* ; Adipose Tissue ; Adiposity ; Birth Weight ; Blood Pressure ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Child* ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Obesity* ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference ; Weights and Measures

The aim of this study was to represent the trend of early menarche and to assess the association of age at menarche with anthropometric profiles of Korean children and adolescents. A cross sectional survey was conducted with 13,371 girls aged 10 to 18 yr, recruited nationwide from April, 2005 to March, 2006. Height, weight and waist circumference of the subjects were measured; and the subjects self-reported their ages at menarche. We found that the menarcheal girls were taller (P<0.05 for the girls between 10 and 14 yr) and heavier (P<0.05 for the girls between 10 and 18 yr) than non-menarcheal ones. Menarcheal girls also showed higher body mass index (BMI), and greater waist circumference than non-menarcheal ones. Significant differences were represented according to the age at menarche in terms of BMI, waist circumference, % body fat mass, waist hip ratio and neck circumference as well as height and weight (P<0.05). In conclusion, girls who matured early were taller and heavier in early adolescence than those who matured later.
Adolescent ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; *Body Weights and Measures ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Menarche/*physiology ; Republic of Korea ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio

OBJECTIVETo analyze the differences in anthropometric measurements between Mongolia and Han girls and understand the characteristics of their physical development in two ethnic groups.

METHODSThe data on anthropometric measurements of Mongolia and Han girls aged 9-17 years in Inner Mongolia were obtained from the Chinese National Survey on Student's Constitution and Health (CNSSCH) in 2010, and the data included body height, sitting height, chest circumference, weight, triceps skinfold thickness (TST), scapular skinfold thickness (SST), abdominal skinfold thickness (AST), and having menarche or not. The girls were divided into two groups according to having menarche or not, and the differences in anthropometric measurements between Mongolia and Han girls were analyzed for the two groups, respectively.

RESULTSThe proportions of Mongolia girls (9-17 years) who have experienced menarche was higher than that of Han girls (67.6%,1 049/1 553) vs (62.9%,1 837/2 922) (χ² = 9.17, P = 0.002). In girls without menarche (9-14 years), sitting height, AST, and BMI in Mongolia girls was 0.5 cm, 1.6 mm, and 0.4 kg/m², respectively, which were higher than those in Han girls (all P < 0.05). In girls who have experienced menarche (11-17 years), height and SST in Han girls was 0.8 cm, and 1.0 mm, respectively, which were higher than those in Mongolia girls (all P values < 0.01); TST, AST and BMI in Mongolia girls were 0.9 mm, 2.9 mm, and 0.3 kg/m², respectively, which were higher than those in Han girls (all P values < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONBody AST and BMI in Mongolia girls are higher than those in Han girls, while body height in Han girls is better than that in Mongolia girls after menarche. The differences of physical development between Mongolia girls and Han girls might be different before and after experiencing menarche.

Adolescent ; Anthropometry ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Body Weights and Measures ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Menarche ; Skinfold Thickness

PURPOSE: Anogential distance (AGD) and the 2:4 digit length ratio appear to provide a reliable guide to fetal androgen exposure. We intended to investigate the current status of penile size and the relationship between penile length and AGD or digit length according to birth weight in Korean newborn infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2013 and February 2014, among a total of 78 newborn male infants, 55 infants were prospectively included in this study. Newborn male infants with a gestational age of 38 to 42 weeks and birth weight>2.5 kg were assigned to the NW group (n=24) and those with a gestational age<38 weeks and birth weight<2.5 kg were assigned to the LW group (n=31). Penile size and other variables were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Stretched penile length of the NW group was 3.3+/-0.2 cm, which did not differ significantly from that reported in 1987. All parameters including height, weight, penile length, testicular size, AGD, and digit length were significantly lower in the LW group than in the NW group. However, there were no significant differences in AGD ratio or 2:4 digit length ratio between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The penile length of newborn infants has not changed over the last quarter century in Korea. With normal penile appearance, the AGD ratio and 2:4 digit length ratio are consistent irrespective of birth weight, whereas AGD, digit length, and penile length are significantly smaller in newborns with low birth weight.
Anthropometry ; *Birth Weight ; *Body Weights and Measures ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fingers/*anatomy & histology ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Organ Size ; Penis/*anatomy & histology ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: Increased left ventricular mass in patients with essential hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic renal failure or in general population has been suggested as a useful predictor of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Many studies have reported that left ventricular mass is correlated postively with body size. Thereafter normalization of left ventricular studies, but it is uncertain which is appropriate. This study was designed to determine the appropriate method for normalization of left ventricular mass to exclude influence of body size in normal adults. METHODS: We measured left ventricular mass 100 normal adults by M-mode echocardiogram using ASE cube method without(Devereux and Reichek's method) and with correction(Devereux and Alonso's method). Left ventricular mass were normalized for body weight, height, body surface area, body surface area1.5, height2.0 and height2.7 RESULTS: 1) Left ventricular mass by Devereux and Reichek's method correlated well with that by Devereux and Alonso's method(r=1.0,p<0.001). 2) Corrected left ventricular mass correlated well with weight(r=0.64, p<0.001), height(r=0.49, p<0.05), body surface area(r=0.53, p<0.01) and body mass index(r=0.58, p<0.001). 3) Correlation coefficients of left ventricular mass/weight with weight, of ventricular mass/height with height, of ventricular mass/height2.0 with height, of ventricular mass/height2.7 with height, of ventricular mass/body surface area with body surface area and of ventricular mass/body surface area1.5 with body surface area were 0.12, -0.05, -0.29, -0.42, 0.13 and -0.11 respectively. 4) Peak systolic wall stress correlated with age and left ventricular mass, but end systolic wall stress did not correlated with left ventricular mass. CONCLUSIONS: The current indexation method of left ventricular mass for height may reduce the variability associated with body size. Furthermore, it could be used reliably in normal Korean adults.
Adult* ; Body Height ; Body Size* ; Body Surface Area ; Body Weight ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mortality

The purpose of this study was to compare the anthropometry and nutrition knowledge, food behaviour and lifestyle of women college students with different obesity indexes. The subjects were 251 women college students who were randomly selected from Kunsan National University. The height, body weight, soft/lean mass, fat mass, percentage of body fat, and fat distribution were measured, and health-related lifestyle habits were evaluated based on questionnaires. The subjects were assigned to one of the following groups based on their Body Mass Index (BMI): underweight, normal weight and overweight. The results were as follows. Their body weight, soft/lean mass, fat mass, percentage of body fat, and fat distribution were significantly higher in the overweight subjects when compared to the underweight or normal weight subjects. Standard of living, self-recognition of health status and duration of exercise were significantly correlated with their BMIs. Self-satisfaction with body weight decreased as the BMI increased. Most subjects had poor habits such as skipping meals and lack of exercises. The overweight and the underweight groups skipped meals more frequently than the normal weight group. There were no significant differences in the scores on the nutritional knowledge and the dietary behaviour of the subjects with different BMIs. Therefore, proper nutritional education on regular meals and intervention are required if women college students are to have normal weights and healthy lifestyles.
Adipose Tissue ; Anthropometry* ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Education ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Jeollabuk-do* ; Life Style* ; Meals ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Thinness ; Weights and Measures ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Forty two high risk low birth weight infants who had been admitted in neonatal intensive care unit at Yongdong Severance Hospital from August 1987 to July 1990 and followed up in the high risk infants follow-up clinic were studied for evaluation of their development using the Bayley develop-mental test at the age of 9 month(corrected age). The results obtaincd were as follows: 1) Their Mental Developmental Index(MDI)and Psychomotor Developmental Index(PDD)were 99.4+/-12.8 and 101.8+/-16.6 MDI and PDI in birth weight 1000~1500 gm group were 95.3+/-9.8 and 99.3+/-14.3 and the indexes in birth weight 1500~2500gm group were 102.2+/-14.3 and 103.5+/-17.9. 2) There is no statistical significant relationship between the results of Bayley scales and birth weight, cranial ultrasonographic finding, APGAR score, ventilator care and neonatal seizure. However, the MDI was significantly lower in small for gestational age group than appropriate gestational age group. 3) The body weight, height and head circumference measured at the age of 9 month, at the same time when Baylcy developmcntal test was performed, were 45.0+/-29.6, 40.2+/-25.7 and 46.2+/-26.8percentile of Korean Pediatric Growth Standard(1985).
Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Body Weight ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Head ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Low Birth Weight* ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Seizures ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing testicular volume in young men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May and November 2001, 2,700 20 year old men, form a census district, were randomly selected at a 10.0% sampling fraction, along with a further 2,080 men who agreed to participate in the study. All volunteers underwent a standard evaluation, including a detailed medical history and physical examination. After excluding men with testicular diseases, 1,792 men were included in the study. RESULTS: There were significant correlations of testicular volumes with height, body weight, and body-mass index, but these were only weak. From the multivariate model used, high temperature was associated with a decreased likelihood (odds ratio [OR], 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.60; p<0.001) of paired testicular volume (less than 25th percentiles among participants). The likelihood of a decreased paired testicular volume varied by area, with a 1.6-fold greater risk of men dwelling in large rural areas than those in major towns. A greater height was associated with a decreased likelihood (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.38-0.96; p=0.032), and low body weight was associated with an increased likelihood, of a decreased paired testicular volume (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.57-4.12; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings established that demographic and environmental factors have an impact on testicular size, and suggest that body size may have a role in determining testicular size in young men.
Body Height ; Body Size ; Body Weight ; Censuses ; Daejeon* ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Testicular Diseases ; Testis ; Volunteers ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing testicular volume in young men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May and November 2001, 2,700 20 year old men, form a census district, were randomly selected at a 10.0% sampling fraction, along with a further 2,080 men who agreed to participate in the study. All volunteers underwent a standard evaluation, including a detailed medical history and physical examination. After excluding men with testicular diseases, 1,792 men were included in the study. RESULTS: There were significant correlations of testicular volumes with height, body weight, and body-mass index, but these were only weak. From the multivariate model used, high temperature was associated with a decreased likelihood (odds ratio [OR], 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-0.60; p<0.001) of paired testicular volume (less than 25th percentiles among participants). The likelihood of a decreased paired testicular volume varied by area, with a 1.6-fold greater risk of men dwelling in large rural areas than those in major towns. A greater height was associated with a decreased likelihood (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.38-0.96; p=0.032), and low body weight was associated with an increased likelihood, of a decreased paired testicular volume (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.57-4.12; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings established that demographic and environmental factors have an impact on testicular size, and suggest that body size may have a role in determining testicular size in young men.
Body Height ; Body Size ; Body Weight ; Censuses ; Daejeon* ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Testicular Diseases ; Testis ; Volunteers ; Young Adult

It has been known for a long time that elevated blood pressure (BP) in the young may persist and progress into adult hypertension (HTN). Multiple studies have revealed the predicted BP trajectory lines starting from childhood and related them to later cardiovascular (CV) risks in adulthood. As a small baby grows into a tall adult, BP will also naturally increase. Among early-life predictors of adult HTN, birth history, such as prematurity, and low birth weight have been popular subjects in research on pediatric HTN, because body size at birth has been reported to be inversely related to the risk of adulthood HTN. The hypothesis of HTN in prematurely born adolescents has been postulated as a physiological predisposition to postnatal excessive weight gain. Current body weight is a well-known independent predictor of HTN in children, and some studies showed that children demonstrating upward crossing of their weight percentiles while growing into adolescents have significantly increased risk for elevated BP later in life. Recently, reports focused on the adverse effect of excessive catch-up growth in this population are gradually drawing attention. Accordingly, children born prematurely or with intrauterine growth restriction who show rapid changes in their weight percentile should be under surveillance with BP monitoring. Prevention of childhood obesity, along with special care for premature infants or infants small for their gestational age, by providing healthy nutritional guidelines should be cardinal strategies for the prevention of adult HTN and CV risks later in life.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Body Size ; Body Weight ; Child ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Parturition ; Pediatric Obesity ; Reproductive History ; Weight Gain