Relaciones de correlación entre variables antropométricas en jóvenes universitarios

Resumen

Anthropometric variables defining human body size, morphology and composition are associated between them, but little is known about the magnitude of these relationships. The aim of this study is to estimate correlation values between different anthropometric dimensions in a sample of university students from The Basque Autonomous Community (356 men and 749 women aged 18.0-32.9 years). 21 direct measures were taken (heights, breadths, circumferences and skinfold thicknesses) and 7 derived variables of body proportionality, body mass and fat, and fat distribution were calculated. The results showed that the majority of body morphology and composition dimensions are significantly correlated and that these relationships are stronger for closely related traits, reflecting the nature of the variables. Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) showed the strongest correlations with the rest of dimensions. BMI and the sum of 7 skinfolds (S7P) were more correlated with total body mass and adiposity than with fat distribution. The strong correlations observed for waist circumference with weight (0.86 in males and 0.81 in females; p<0.001) and adiposity variables (particularly at the trunk level) supports its use as an indicator of visceral fat. In conclusion, anthropometric variables defining the amount of body fat and mass were strongly correlated between them, and fat distribution presented weak to moderate correlations. Finally, the significant correlation detected between bicristal breadth and S7P (0.33 in males and 0.48 in females; p<0.001) suggests that skeletal frame is associated with body fat mass.