Abstract: Objective To analyze the levels of arm circumference and arm-to-height ratio (AHtR) of children under 7 years old in Nanjing in 2015,and to discuss the significance of arm circumference and AHtR in children's growth and development. Methods A total of 8 682 children under 7 years old was enrolled in this study by using stratified random cluster sampling method. Children were divided into 21 groups by age for both males and females. The arm circumference was measured and the correlation with physical development indexes was analyzed. Results The growth rate of arm circumference was faster between 1 and 3 months old,and slower after 3 months old. The mean arm circumference of boys in different age groups was larger than that of girls,among which the arm circumference of boys was significantly different with that of girls in 1 month—,3—21 months,2—<2.5 years old,3—<4.5 years old and 5.5—<7 years old groups(P<0.05).The AHtR increased with age in the first 3 months,and then decreased. The average AHtR of children from 1 month to 3 years old was 0.169—0.237 for boys and 0.169—0.230 for girls. The P₅₀ value of AHtR of children from 3 to 7 years old was 0.150—0.160 for boys and 0.140—0.160 for girls. The arm circumference was positively correlated with body weight,but not associated with body mass index (BMI). Conclusions There were age and sex differences in arm circumference,age differences in AHtR in children under 7 years old in Nanjing.Additionally,arm circumference is related to body weight.

Key words: arm circumference, arm-to-height ratio, children under 7 years old

摘要： 目的 对2015年南京市7岁以下儿童上臂围及上臂围/身高比值 (AHtR) 进行调查分析,探讨上臂围及上臂围/身高比值在儿童生长发育监测中的意义。方法 采用分层随机整群抽样方法,分男、女各21个年龄组,共测量8 682名7岁以下儿童的上臂围,与体格相关指标进行分析。结果 上臂围在1~3月龄间增长速度较快,3月龄后增长逐渐缓慢;不同年龄组男童上臂围平均值均大于女童组,其中1月~、3~21月、2~<2.5岁、3~<4.5岁及5.5~<7岁组上臂围在性别上差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);前3个月,AHtR呈现随月龄增加上升趋势,此后随月龄增加逐渐下降。1月~<3岁各年龄组AHtR平均值范围为男童0.169~0.237,女童0.169~0.230;3~<7岁各年龄组AHtR中位数范围为男童0.150~0.160;女童0.140~0.160。上臂围均与体重、身长/高存在正相关性,与体重指数 (BMI)无相关性。结论 南京市7岁以下儿童上臂围存在年龄和性别上的差异,AHtR存在年龄差异,上臂围与其体重相关。

关键词: 上臂围, 上臂围/身高比值, 7岁以下儿童