SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH UPPER AND LOWER LIMB LENGTH IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AGED 12-17 YEARS IN THE TETOVO REGION, NORTH MACEDONIA

Veton Ademi, Sadi Bexheti, Alajdin Hasani, Muhamed Tairi, Beshra Elezi, Ema Bexheti

Abstract

Background: Anthropometry provide important data on the biological structure of the population that serves as the basis for microevolutionary research. The length of the limbs is very important because abnormalities in their development can lead to more serious problems, as people with a considerable length of limbs often happen to have a degenerative disease. Objective: The main objectives of this study were the use of anthropometric measurements to give a realistic picture of anthropometric parameters in the surveyed population, to identify cases of stagnation in growth and development, as well as to compare the results with other studies of this level conducted by different authors in other populations. Methods: The character of this research is "Cross-sectional" and was conducted in primary and secondary schools in the region of Tetovo, North Macedonia, during the period April to June 2019 with 625 male and female students aged 12-17 years. The results were processed with statistical programs STATISTICA 10.0 and SPSS 20.0. Results: The average length of the upper limb in men varies from 65.48 cm at the age of 12 to 77.19 cm at the age of 17, while in women from 65.19 cm at the age of 12 to 70.62 cm at the age of 17 years. The average length of the lower limb in men varies from 82.13 cm at the age of 12 years to 95.73 cm at the age of 17 years, while in women from 84.76 cm at the age of 12 years up to 93.54 cm at the age of 17 years. Conclusion: This study provides a basis for quantifying the normal growth of the limbs at different ages. The average annual growth of male extremities is about 4-5 cm, while in women it is slightly smaller.

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