Somatometric parameters of schoolchildren of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area: results of a cohort study

Objective. To study the specificity of physical development of children, who live in the extreme weather conditions of the North. Materials and methods. We examined schoolchildren belonging to the non-indigenous population of the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area. The study included 1424 schoolchildren (751 boys and 673 girls) aged 7 to 16 years living in the gas-andoil producing districts of the area for not less than 3 years. In the course of the study, after measurements of the body height and weight of children in each age-gender group, the arithmetic mean and its standard error were calculated for both somatometric parameters. We performed a comparative analysis of the parameters and the standard reference values of the «WHO Growth Reference 2007» and the results of examination of children belonging to the indigenous population indicated in the literature. Discussion. We have found that during the period of intensive growth, the body height of representatives of the nonindigenous population is higher than that of their same-age peers from the indigenous population. But the definitive indicators of body height have no statistically significant difference. Conclusions. The body height values of the examined children do not significantly differ from the WHO standards, therefore, the «WHO Growth Reference 2007» and the «WHO Anthro» anthropometric calculator can be used in regular medical checkups of schoolchildren. The values of schoolchildren’s body weight are higher than the WHO standards, which necessitates a deeper analysis of the nutrition and physical activity of children. Key words: physical development, schoolchildren, children, non-indigenous population of North