Statistical Modelling of Body Composition in Children and their Parents

Several methods of assessing body composition are presented and discussed in this thesis. The assessment of body composition has been a leading area of research for many years. The increasing prevalence of obesity in recent years has done nothing but stress the importance of having accurate and reliable methods which allow us to understand better the composition of the body itself, as well as identify any abnormal conditions of the same. Data was provided by the Gateshead Millennium Study (GMS). This is a large cohort of over 1000 children, who were born in Gateshead, in the Northeast of England, between 1999 and 2000. The children have so far been followed up until age 7, when the last data collection was completed. Information about their parents (such as anthropometric measurements) was also recorded. This thesis analyzes the data of the children at age 7 as well as their parents. A number of methods for determining body composition are currently in use. These vary from taking simple measurements of the body, such as weight or height, to more complicated methods for which sophisticated devices are needed. Various relationships and associations between the different characteristics of the human body have been established, drawn from results of numerous studies. Although these relationships may vary from person to person, as there are many other factors which might affect them (such as diet, genetics or lifestyle), they are fairly well established in adults. However, when assessing children, an important factor should be considered in addition, age. This is fundamental for the