Introduction:

Growth sexual dimorphism (SD) mainly involves size, shape and body composition. It largely depends on genetic and hormonal factors, although its expression is conditioned by environmental characteristics, including undernutrition. However, the relationship between overweight, obesity and SD has been little explored. Objective: To analyze sexual differences in growth and body composition of schoolchildren from Tucumán (Argentina) and identify whether SD expression is affected by overweight or obesity.

Material and Methods:

Cross-sectional anthropometric study in schoolchildren of both sexes. Variables measured: body weight, size, circumference (arm, waist and hip) and skinfolds (bicipital, tricipital, subscapular and suprailiac). Body mass index, subscapular/triceps index, muscle and fat arm areas were calculated. The nutritional status of schoolchildren was determined, and they were accordingly divided into three groups: adequate, overweight and obese. Mann-Whitney U test was used to perform SD comparisons in total population and among each nutritional status group. A p level <0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

The sample consisted of 52.7% of men and 47.3% of women (n=1,844) with ages between 8.0 and 11.9 years. Girls presented higher means in most of the variables analyzed, with more evident sexual differences at 11 years. Considering nutritional status, 12.9% were overweight and 19.0% obese, with no significant sex differences.

Conclusions:

The dimorphic pattern was attenuated in overweight and obese schoolchildren compared with adequate nutritional status. Obese boys showed a relatively higher growth in variables associated with adipose tissue, accounting for the greater male ecosensitivity to obesogenic environments.

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