Comparison of Anthropometric Indicators That Assess Nutritional Status From Infancy to Old Age and Proposal of Percentiles for a Regional Sample of Chile

Objectives: Anthropometric variables are used to evaluate health, dietary status, disease risks, and changes in body composition. The purpose of this study was to compare weight, height, and Body Mass Index (BMI) with American references from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS-2012), using BMI and Tri-Ponderal Mass Index (TMI) to propose percentiles for evaluating nutritional status of children, adolescents, and adults, ages 5–80 years old. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 15,436 (8,070 males and 7,366 females) children, youths and adults in the Maule region (Chile). The age range ranged from 5.0 to ~80 years of age. Weight and height were assessed. Body mass index BMI and tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) were calculated. The LMS method was used to generate percentiles. Results: The results illustrated that children were heavier and had more BMI during childhood compared to the NCHS references. During adolescence, reference values were greater until approximately ages 70–79. For height, children were relatively similar to those of the NCHS references, but during adolescence, differences became evident. Adolescence until approximately age 80, the population showed lower values for height. Percentiles were calculated using BMI and TMI by age range and sex. Differences occurred between the American NCHS references and the population with regard to the anthropometric variables of weight, height, and in BMI. Conclusion: Discrepancies with the American NCHS reference were verified in the anthropometric variables of weight, height and BMI. Reference percentiles of BMI and TMI were developed for the evaluation of the nutritional status of the regional population of Maule (Chile). Its use is suggested in clinical and epidemiological contexts.