Height, weight, and body mass index among Akwesasne Mohawk Youth

Information on the growth of contemporary Native American adolescents is limited. A few studies have shown that Native Americans have growth patterns that may differ from U.S. reference values. We describe basic anthropometric characteristics (height and weight) of Mohawk youth between the ages of 10.0 and 16.99 years from the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Mean height of Akwesasne Mohawk youth approximates the 50(th) percentile of reference values as determined by the 2000 Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts. At every age, weight means of males approximate or exceed the goth percentile and all mean weights of females approximate the 85(th) percentile. Akwesasne males are significantly taller than females from age 14 on and significantly heavier at ages 14 and 16. All age-specific BMI means for males are at or above the 90(th) percentile and females' means are at or above the 85(th). The potential for long-term health effects associated with being overweight has implications for the future health of young Native Americans. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.