Abstract:

This study was carried out to research the sex and age difference of 12-14 years of students educating in Erzincan and in its districts by determining body mass index (BMI), and skinfold parameters. A total of 1019 students, 476 girls and 543 boys living in Erzincan and its districts (Refahiye, Kemah, Uzumlu, Tercan) voluntarily participated in this study. The height and body weight from antropometric characteristics, the thickness of skinfold from biceps, triceps, subscapula, suprailiac and calf, fat percentages and body mass index of subjects were determined. A 3x2x2 multivariate variance analysis were statistically used to analyzse data. The Tukey and Tamhane's statistical techniques were applied when differences were significant between age groups. It was found that BMI, fat percentages and skinfold parameters of the girls were statistically higher than the boys, also the values of the students living in city center were statistically higher than those living in districts (p<0.001). While meaningful differences were found among all age groups (12-13, 12-14, 13-14) in terms of BMI values (p<0.001), and between 12 and 13 ( p<0.05 ) between 12 and 14 (p<0.001) in terms of fat percentages, there were no differences among age groups in terms of Biceps skinfold thickness. In other skinfold parameters (triceps, subscapula, suprailiac, calf and total skinfold thickness) it was determined that only the differences between 12-14 age groups were meaningful (p<0.05). At the end of this study, it was determined that BMI, fat percentages and skinfold parameters of the girls increased by age, whereas the values of boys remained constant or declined.

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