Abstract

HENRIQUEZ-PEREZ, Gladys; RACHED-PAOLI, Ingrid  and  AZUAJE-SANCHEZ, Arelis. Percentile distribution of the Energy-Protein Index in paediatric ages. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2009, vol.22, n.2, pp.63-68. ISSN 0798-0752.

The aim of this study was to analyze the percentile distribution of the Energy-Protein index (E/P) in boys and girls aged 3 months to 9 years in order to better identify incipient nutritional alterations. This index was calculated in 5212 healthy children with normal nutritional status and stature from a poor urban community at Centro de Atención Nutricional Infantil Antímano (CANIA), within the period between January 1999 and December 2007. Children with prematurity backgrounds, pubertal growth spurts, or with chronic pathologies, were excluded. Calculations of arm muscle circumference and E/P index were based on the anthropometric variables: triceps skinfold thickness, and mid-arm circumference measured by standardized anthropometrists, with quality control every 4 months as recommended by international standard of the International Biological Program and the International Center for Infancy. The descriptive statistics of the Energy/Protein index and the variables used for their calculation were obtained, as well as the index percentiles 3, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, and 97. Tests applied included Kolmogorov-Smirnoff, Anova one-way, Chi Square, Tukey and bivariated correlations. The E/P index behavior exhibited higher values in the girls, decreasing with age in both sexes, ranging from 1.78 to 1.53 in girls and from 1.68 to 1.42 in boys. Statistically significant differences were found for each age and sex. The E/P index behavior allows us to conclude that its percentile distribution should be applied to nutritional assessments in pediatric ages. These values should be validated and their effectiveness should be studied.

Keywords : Energy Protein Index; ppercentile distribution; preschool; school; body composition; anthropometric; nutritional assessment.