SOMATOTYPES IN THE ADOLESCENT PERIOD – A REVIEW ARTICLE

Biljana Stojanoska Bojadzieva; Niki Matveeva; Biljana Zafirova; Biljana Trpkovska; Elizabeta Cadikovska; Irina Angelovska; Sava Pejkovska; Jovana Kordoska

Biljana Stojanoska Bojadzieva Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, ``St. Ciril and Methodius`` University in Skopje, North Macedonia
Niki Matveeva Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, ``St. Ciril and Methodius`` University in Skopje, North Macedonia
Biljana Zafirova Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, ``St. Ciril and Methodius`` University in Skopje, North Macedonia
Biljana Trpkovska Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, ``St. Ciril and Methodius`` University in Skopje, North Macedonia
Elizabeta Cadikovska Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, ``St. Ciril and Methodius`` University in Skopje, North Macedonia
Irina Angelovska assoc. professor
Sava Pejkovska University clinic of pulmonology and allergology, Skopje, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia
Jovana Kordoska Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, ``St. Ciril and Methodius`` University in Skopje, North Macedonia

Abstract

Growth and development in children and adolescents are dynamic, interrelated processes that reflect both genetic and environmental influences. Anthropometric assessment and somatotype classification are essential tools for evaluating these processes, offering insights into body composition, health risks, and physical performance. Somatotype, defined by three components: endomorphy (fat), mesomorphy (muscle), and ectomorphy (linearity) provides a standardized method to describe physique and its variations across age and sex. This paper reviews growth patterns, the historical development of somatotyping methods, and their application in children and adolescents. Evidence shows that somatotype characteristics vary significantly during puberty: endomorphy tends to increase in females, while mesomorphy predominates in males, particularly in late adolescence. Ectomorphy peaks during periods of rapid height growth, then declines with advancing age. These shifts are influenced by hormonal changes, nutrition, physical activity, and socio-economic factors. Understanding somatotype development has clinical and applied relevance. It assists in monitoring population health, identifying risks of obesity and related metabolic conditions, and guiding individualized approaches in sports and physical education. While somatotype is strongly determined by genetic factors, lifestyle interventions especially balanced nutrition and regular physical activity can improve body composition and overall health outcomes.

Keywords: growth, adolescence, somatotype, anthropometry, body composition, puberty.

References

1. Katzmarzyk PT, Malina RM, Kaur TM, Song CB. Somatotype and indicators of metabolic fitness in youth. Am J Hum Biol. 1998;10(3):341-50.
2. Raudsepp L, Jürimäe T. Somatotype and physical fitness of prepubertal children. Coll Antropol. 1996;20(1):53-9.
3. Janevska-Nakeva N. Morfolo{ka struktura i strukturni komponenti na teloto kaj uili{nata mladina od makedonska nacionalnost [doktorska disertacija]. Skopje; 1995.
4. Rogol AD, Clark PA, Roemmich JN. Growth and pubertal development in children and adolescents: effects of diet and physical activity. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;72(2 Suppl):521S-8S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/72.2.521S.
5. Gorgev D, Kendrovski V, Ristovska G, Dimitrovska Z. Higiena na hrana i ishrana. Skopje; 2008.
6. Zafirova B, Todorova L. Anthropometric parameters of growth and nutritional status in children aged 6 to 7 years in R. Macedonia. Adv Med Sci. 2009;54(2):289-95.
7. Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: international survey. BMJ. 2000;320(7244):1240-3.
8. Malina RM, Katzmarzyk PT. Validity of the body mass index as an indicator of the risk and presence of overweight in adolescents. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;70(Suppl):131S-6S.
9. de Onis M, Onyango AW, Borghi E, Siyam A, Nishida C, Siekmann J. Development of a WHO growth reference for school-aged children and adolescents. Bull World Health Organ. 2007;85(9):661-8.
10. Bhasin MK, Jain S. Biology of the tribal groups of Rajasthan, India: 4. Age changes in somatotype. Anthropologist. 2007;9(4):257-65.
11. De Lucena Barbosa E, de Araujo Filho MA, et al. Sexual maturation: Analyses of the anthropometric and somatotypic measures in school children. Fit Perf J. 2007;6(1):11-7.
12. Gakhar I, Malik SL. Age changes and sex differences in somatotypes among Jats of Delhi. Anthropologist. 2002;4(2):115-25.
13. Hunt EE. A note on growth, somatotype and temperament. Am J Phys Anthropol. 1949;7(1):79-89.
14. Carter JEL, Heath BH. Somatotyping: Development and applications. New York: Cambridge University Press; 1990.
15. Carter JEL. The Heath-Carter anthropometric somatotype. San Diego: San Diego State University; 2002.
16. Carter JEL. The Heath-Carter somatotype method. San Diego: San Diego State University Syllabus Service; 1980.
17. Heath BH, Carter JEL. A modified somatotype method. Am J Phys Anthropol. 1967;27(1):57-74.
18. Cressie NAC, Withers RT, Craig NP. The statistical analysis of somatotype data. Yearb Phys Anthropol. 1986;29:197-208.
19. Vertinsky P. Embodying normalcy: Anthropometry and the long arm of William H. Sheldon’s somatotype project. J Sport Hist. 2002;29(1):95-132.
20. Toth K. Physical activity, somatotype and body composition. In: EAA Summer School eBook. 2007. p.197-201.
21. Mladenova S, Nikolova M, Andreenko E, Boyadjiev D. Somatotypological characterization of Bulgarian children and adolescents (Smolyan region). Coll Antropol. 2010;34(3):963-71.
22. Heath BH, Carter JEL. Growth and somatotype patterns of Manus children, Territory of Papua and New Guinea: Application of a modified somatotype method to the study of growth patterns. Am J Phys Anthropol. 1971;35(1):49-68.
23. Walker RN. Standards for somatotyping children: II. The prediction of somatotyping ponderal index from children’s growth data. Ann Hum Biol. 1974;1(3):289-99.
24. Oyewale AA, Ojo SA, Adebisi SS, Danborno SB. The study of anthropometric variables on growth and development of school children in Zaria, Nigeria. Asian J Med Sci. 2010;2(4):185-9.
25. Das BM, Roy SK. Age changes in the anthropometric and body composition characteristics of the Bishnupriya Manipuris of Cachar district, Assam. Adv Biosci Biotechnol. 2010;1(2):122-30.
26. Nikolova M, Akabaliev V, Sivkov S, Mladenova S. Body composition of children and adolescents from Plovdiv. In: Proceedings of the Balkan Scientific Conference of Biology. Plovdiv; 2005. p.150-8.
27. Rahmawati NT, Hastuti J, Ashizawa K. Growth and somatotype of urban and rural Javanese children in Yogyakarta and Bantul, Indonesia. Anthropol Sci. 2004;112(2):99-108.
28. Pelin C, Ozener B, Kurkuoglu A, Zagyapan R. Effect of living conditions on somatotype components of young individuals belonging to different socioeconomic strata: a preliminary study. Eurasian J Anthropol. 2010;1(1):26-32.
29. Muñoz-Cachón MJ, Salces I, Arroyo M, Ansotegui L, Rocandio AM, Rebato E. Body shape in relation to socio-economic status in young adults from the Basque Country. Coll Antropol. 2007;31(4):963-8.
30. Singh LD. Somatotypes of the affluent and nonaffluent Meitei boys of Manipur, India. Anthropologist. 2011;13(1):9-16.