Abstract

Introduction: Physical growth (FC) is determined by genetic and environmental factors that produce variations in the population in different regions of the world. Objective: To compare the linear FC of children and adolescents living at moderate and high altitude in Peru. Methodology: A cross-sectional (comparative) study was carried out in children and adolescents living at moderate (2,178 meters) and high altitude (4,349 meters) in Peru. A total of 563 school children (276 boys and 287 girls) from two geographical regions of Puno (Peru) were studied. Weight, height and right arm circumference were evaluated. The reference of the World Health Organization (WHO) was used to categorize the Z-Score by sex and specific age. Results: Children of moderate altitude presented higher body weight at all ages, however, in height, at initial ages there were differences between both altitudes and during adolescence there were similar values. In arm circumference, no significant differences were observed between children of both altitudes at all ages. The height of boys and girls of both altitudes presented negative Z-Score, being deeper in children of high altitude (boys -0.38 to -1.41 and girls -0.77 to -1.80 Z-Score) in relation to those living in moderate altitude (boys -0.05 to -1.30 and girls -0.06 to -1.40 Z-Score). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that children of both sexes from 5 to 16 years of age living at high and moderate altitudes in Peru, presented diminished linear growth patterns in relation to the WHO reference, in addition, children living at high altitude presented lower heights during childhood when compared to those at moderate altitude, however, during adolescence they showed rapid growth, leveling with their peers at moderate altitude.