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Secular change in growth of native children and adolescents at high altitude Huancayo, Peru (3,280 meters)
Author(s) -
Gonzales Gustavo F.,
Valera Jose,
Rodriguez Luis,
Vega Amalia,
GuerraGarcia Roger
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.1330640103
Subject(s) - altitude (triangle) , secular variation , demography , body height , short stature , body weight , trunk , mathematics , medicine , biology , pediatrics , ecology , endocrinology , geometry , sociology
Stature and weight of native children, adolescents, and adults at Huancayo, Peru (3,280 meters), were measured in 1977, 1978, and 1982 and compared with mean statures and weights reported in previous studies. The data indicate that in Huancayo there has been a secular increment in child stature, sitting height, and weight from 1937 to 1978–1982. The observed changes in stature are related to a proportionally greater increment in leg length relative to trunk length. It is concluded that the observed secular increase in body size reflects changes in the standard of living and a greater influx of nonnative populations, which are usually characterized by greater stature than natives.