Features of the body composition of modern children aged 8–12 years living in the Moscow region

Introduction. Screening surveys of children in various regions of the Russian Federation, regularly conducted to assess changes in physical development under the influence of changing socioeconomic factors, are an important part of assessing the overall health of the child population.

The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of body composition in modern children aged 8–12 years living in the Moscow region.

Materials and methods. A total of 228 children aged 8–12 years studying in the Moscow region were examined. Body composition and other indicators were determined using an apparatus-based method using an ABC-01 Medass bioimpedance analyzer.

Results. Somatometric body measurements increase according to the physiological laws of growth and development during the transition from one age group to another, in both sexes. Moreover, no differences were found between boys and girls within the same age group in terms of height and weight, waist and hip circumference, and body mass index, indicating similar morphological characteristics of physical development in primary school-aged children who have not yet reached puberty. Skeletal muscle mass indicators were significantly higher in the boy group across all age groups. Absolute values  of body fat did not significantly differ between boys and girls within the same age group. The increase in body fat with age is uneven, meaning the increase is not directly related to the age of the children studied.

Conclusion. The results of this study will contribute to the assessment of the physical development of modern children living in the Moscow region, in terms of body composition, and can serve as material for discussing the results of similar studies.

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