Intergenerational differences in the body build of women

Background: This study analyzed generational differences in body build of woman. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to examine the intergenerational differences in the body build of women. Material and methods: 90 women (30 female physiotherapy students, their mothers and grandmothers) were examined. Their heights, weights, waist circumferences, and waist and hip circumferences were measured. Their Body mass index (BMI) and Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) were calculated. Their frequency of underweight, overweight and obesity were estimated. WHO criteria were applied. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated. The Shapiro-Wilk test for testing the normal distribution was used. The Kruskal-Wallis test and post-hoc test were used. A significance level alpha of 0.05 was assumed. Statistica 13.1 was used for calculations. Results: The median body height of the female students was 166.8 cm, their mothers 160.8 cm, and grandmothers 158.0 cm. Their median body masses were, respectively: 59.4 kg, 70.1 kg and 72.5 kg. Their median BMIs were 21.4 kg/m², 26.3 kg/m², and 29.2 kg/ m², and their WHRs were 0.80, 0.86, and 0.87, respectively. Underweight was only seen in students (13%). The prevalence of overweight female students (BMI ≥30) was 10%, their mothers 33% and their 13% grandmothers, whereas obesity was 7%, 30% and 50%, respectively. Conclusions: There were intergenerational differences in the body structure of women. In subsequent generations, the size of the body increased, and height of the body decreased. There were differences between mothers and offspring. From an early age, body growth should be monitored to prevent obesity development with age.