Sex Differences In Anthropometric Characteristics Of Nigerian School Children Aged 9-12 Years

The aim of this study was to assess the anthropometric and body composition profiles of Nigerian school children. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 1036 girls and 979 boys aged 9-12 years. Anthropometric measurements, including body mass, stature, triceps, subscapular and medial calf skinfold thickness, as well as waist and hip circumferences were measured on the children. Body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and subscapular/triceps skinfold ratio (STR) were also calculated. Sexual dimorphism that appears to be related to differential changes in body composition in the older children was observed. Findings showed that the Nigerian children have a low level of adiposity whether assessed by BMI, skinfold or percent body fat, compared to their peers in developed countries. The health implications of the findings were discussed. Keywords: Anthropometry, school children, percentage body fat, sex differences. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance Vol. 14 (2) 2008: pp.130-14