Análisis longitudinal de los indicadores Peso-Edad, Talla-Edad y Peso-Talla en adolescentes de la Escuela Nacional de Ballet de Cuba

Ballet is considered an artistic manifestation with an anatomical selective matter approach that makes emphasis in the artists linearity and thinness. The objective of this investigation is to assess the body weight and the stature of the dancers of the Cuban National School of Ballet in two moments of its growth. A cohort study in 54 girls and 40 boys, between 15 and 20 years old was carried out. Weight and stature were measured in order to determine the indexes weight for age, height for age and t weight for height. The main results show significant increments of weight and stature for ages in the two sexes. In the analysis of body weight of the ballet dancers, the estimation of body composition and the evaluation of pubertal and skeletal development are mandatory in order to generate an adequate diagnosis. Height for age tables, used in the Cuban public health system are good for measuring changes and for predicting final height in the dancers studied. The Cuban Charts for weight for age and weight for height don’t describe accurately, the changes of weight for age, or the relationship of weight for stature for the dancers of both sexes. An Venez Nutr 2005; 18 (2): 177-186.