Estudo do crescimento e desenvolvimento em escolares de 11 a 16 anos de idade de diferentes níveis socioeconômicos

Abstract

Determination of the characteristics of the growth and development of students of different socio-economic levels. Evaluation of 360 male children, from 11 to 16 years of age, who attend the public schools of the municipality of Londrina, Parana. Measurements of height, bodily weight, weight of fat and lean corporal mass, were taken. To determine the weight of fat, the measurement of the values of the cutaneous folds, following the standardization of Yuhasz, was utilized. The measured population was divided in two groups, classified according to socio-economic level as determined by the father's occupation, considering the criteria of Glass's table, as modified by Hutchinson. Comparing the results obtained in the group considered of low level and in that of high socio-economic level, statistically significant differences (P < 0,01) were verified for all of the variables studied. It was concluded, by the data obtained in this study, that the socio-economic aspect, together with other factors, can influence significantly the pattern of growth and physical development in children between the ages of 11 and 16.