Introduction: adolescence is characterized by intensive growth and development, 50% of the final body weight achieved in a relatively short period of time. Objective: to characterize the growth and development in adolescents in seventh grade. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted; the universe consisted of 227 adolescents aged 11 and 12 years from seventh grade of Dagoberto Sanfield Secondary school during 2012-2013 school year. The sample of 161 children was obtained by the simple random method. The information was obtained through empirical methods such as observation, interview and physical examination. Data were taken for the purpose of the study. Results: one hundred one children were between 10 and 90 percentile according to weight - height index for 62.7%, they were considered eutrophic. In addition 53 children, which constituted 32.92% were rated as high stature and 43 (26.70%) and high weight. Conclusions: the largest number of teens surveyed classified within normal percentiles channels. Statistically significant numbers of adolescents with high-class, with higher values in males were found. The size was influenced by high weight parameters such as size of the parents.

Introducción: la adolescencia se caracteriza por un intenso crecimiento y desarrollo, hasta el punto que se llega a alcanzar, en un período relativamente corto de tiempo, el 50% del peso corporal definitivo. Objetivo: caracterizar el ritmo de crecimiento y desarrollo en los adolescentes del séptimo grado. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal; el universo estuvo constituido por 227 adolescentes de 11 y 12 años de edad que cursaban el séptimo grado en la Secundaria Básica Dagoberto Sanfield en el curso escolar 2012-2013. La muestra de 161 niños, se obtuvo por el método aleatorio simple. La información fue obtenida a través de métodos empíricos como la observación, la entrevista y examen físico. Los datos fueron llevados a una planilla de vaciamiento diseñada al efecto. Resultados: en relación al índice peso talla 101 niños estaban entre el 10 y el 90 percentil, que representaba el 62,7%, considerados eutróficos. Además 53 niños, que constituían el 32,92%, se encontraban valorados como talla alta y 43 (26,70%) como peso alto. Conclusiones: el mayor número de los adolescentes estudiados clasificaron dentro de los canales percentilares normales. Se encontraron cifras estadísticamente significativas de adolescentes con talla alta, con valores superiores en el sexo masculino. La talla estuvo influenciada por parámetros de alto peso como la talla de los padres.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION High prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors in adults represents both a Cuban and a worldwide public health problem. OBJECTIVE Determine prevalence of metabolic syndrome’s component risk factors in a representative sample of adults in Holguín Province, Cuba. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted using multistage probability sampling of four Holguín Province municipalities: Holguín, Gibara, Urbano Noris and Banes. We selected a sample of 2085 patients aged ≥20 years during 2004–2013 and measured clinical, anthropometric and biochemical variables. Risk factor prevalence rates were calculated using EPIDAT 3.1. RESULTS Crude metabolic syndrome prevalence rate was 27.2% (CI 25.3%–29.1%). Crude prevalence rates (with 95% CI) of risk factors were as follows: hypertriglyceridemia 36.1% (34.0%–38.2%); hypercholesterolemia 25.5% (23.6%–27.4%); low HDL cholesterol 26.3% (24.4%–28.2%); high LDL cholesterol 10.1% (8.8%–11.4%); prediabetes 2.2% (1.6%–2.8%); diabetes 14.6% (13.1 %–16.1%); prehypertension 3.5% (2.7%–4.3%); hypertension 34.5% (32.5%–36.5%); overweight 23.4% (21.6%–25.2%); obesity 32.0% (30.0%–34.0%) and central obesity 47.3% (45.2%–49.4%). They were significantly higher in women and older adults. CONCLUSION High prevalence of risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome confirms the magnitude of this health problem, particularly in women and older adults.