Abstract:
This work presents the method of computing growth-and-obesity profiles of children of still-growing parents (under-21 father and under-19 mother). The method for generating growth-and-obesity profiles of children of grown-up parents cannot be employed for the children of young spouses, as it is based on values of adult height of both parents. In the present scenario, adult height is not available as the parents are still growing. This work modifies the box-interpolation-based model to produce growth-and-obesity profiles of such families. This is accomplished by computing estimated-adult heights of both parents, using the percentiles of their current heights. These values are, then, utilized for the computation of mid-parental (target) heights. This model estimates adult heights and weights of all the family members and expresses as percentage the degrees to which the individuals are obese (wasted), taking optimal weights as standard. For children, this method, also, provides the information if the incumbents are tall (stunted), based on current-age-mid-parental heights. This procedure is demonstrated through simulated data with an example of a young couple and their twin children. This framework can be adjusted for families, in which, one of the parents is still growing, while the other one has attained adult height. Extreme cases presented earlier have been enhanced and concept of estimated-adult BMI (body-mass index) for children introduced. This index could be used to, roughly, classify a child as obese or wasted. Sociological and psychological implications of underage marriages are, also, looked into.
Page(s):
233-255
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology, Volume: 9, Issue: 3, Year: 2012