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Chest circumference and sitting height among children and adolescents from Lhasa, tibet compared to other high altitude populations
Author(s) -
Xi Huanjiu,
Chen Zhao,
Li Wenhui,
Wen Youfeng,
Zhang Hailong,
Xiao Yanjie,
Liu Suwei,
Pei Linguo,
Zhang Meizhi,
Lv Po,
Ren Fu,
Huang Keqiang,
Ye Liping,
Li Chunshan,
Zhao Liguang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
american journal of human biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.559
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1520-6300
pISSN - 1042-0533
DOI - 10.1002/ajhb.22772
Subject(s) - hum , effects of high altitude on humans , demography , altitude (triangle) , sitting , anthropometry , population , circumference , geography , physical activity , adaptation (eye) , physical development , medicine , biology , pediatrics , physical therapy , meteorology , art , geometry , mathematics , archaeology , pathology , sociology , performance art , art history , neuroscience
Objectives The adaptation of human beings to a high altitude environment during growth has been reported in several populations but is less known for Tibetans. The objective of this study was to investigate similarities and differences of Tibetans in patterns and characteristics of physical growth and development in comparison to other high altitude populations. Methods We measured the stature, weight, chest circumference and sitting height of 2,813 healthy children and adolescents aged 6‐ to 21‐year‐old living at 3,658–4,500 m in Tibet, China, and compared them with published data from other high altitude populations. Eligible participants must have been born and raised in Tibet, and both their parents’ families have to be Tibetan for at least the past three generations. Results The physical growth and development of children and adolescents in Tibet and the Andes followed similar patterns, such as delayed growth, short stature and sitting height, and large chest dimensions. Relative to stature, Tibetan sitting heights are similar to Andeans, but chest circumferences are smaller. Conclusions Findings from this study reinforce the conclusion that Tibetan and Andean populations have adapted differently to high altitude hypoxia. The physical features of each population may result from unique adaptation to hypoxia, as well as socio‐ecological factors, such as poor nutrition. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:197–202, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.