Activity #2Charting Mesures & Growth Research Understaning 2024 01

January 1, 2024 1 Activity #2: Charting Measures, Interpreting & Growth Research Part A: Charting Growth Measures & Interpreting Measurements Purpose: To distinguish between the amount or extent of growth (using a distance curve) and the rate of growth (using a velocity curve). Also, to identify several landmarks in growth highlighted by velocity curves. Growth charts are used to identify size relative chronological age and sex. The growth charts generally seen in textbooks or doctors’ offices are called distance curves . In distance curves, age is placed along the horizontal axis and height or weight is placed along the vertical axis. Such a graph depicts where children are in relation to others at that age or how much they have changed over a certain span of years. Such measures, taken over time and plotted on a graph, can provide useful information. For example, if the line goes up, we know the child is growing. If the line is flat, no growth has occurred or if the slope of the line is steep, the rate of growth is rapid. If we want to picture the rate of growth in a more dramatic way we can take the change in growth from a distance curve and generate what is called a velocity curve, which plots speed or rate of growth against age. Velocity curves quickly and easily point to certain growth landmarks, such as growth spurts. Velocity curves look very different from distance curves. Whereas a distance curve for growth continues to go up, a velocity curve includes peaks , valleys , and plateaus . A peak in a velocity curve enables us to identify the age at which growth was the fastest; this is known as the age of peak velocity . It is interesting to compare the age at peak velocity between sexes or other parameters for various growth measures. Instructions: Complete the tables and respond to questions on the handout. 1. Table #1 provides heights in centimeters attained by a female and a male on each of their birthdays from 4 to 19 years of age. Table #1: Height (cm) Age 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Female 104. 5 111 117 122.5 128. 5 134.5 139 145.5 151 158 162 164 16 5 165.5 166 166 Male 105 112 119 125.5 130. 5 134 138.5 144.5 151 157 162 170 17 7 180 182 183 Using the data in Table #1, create line graphs using Microsoft Excel on your computer. Create line graphs for height for both the female and male on the same chart . Identify the age on the horizontal axis and the height in cm on the vertical axis. Color code data to differentiate sex. When completed, save as a pdf, and submit with Activity #2, Part A.

January 1, 2024 2 2. From the height data in Table #1 , calculate the change in height from one birthday to the next using the midpoint between birthdays. For example , the mid-point between 4 - 5 years is 4.5. For each age interval in Table #2, subtract the height at the younger age from the height at the older age (for example , female height at age 5 minus height at age 4 for the female = 4.0 cm). Repeat this for all age intervals in Table #2. Insert your calculations in Table #2. Table #2: Change in Height: Females & Males Age Interval 4.5 5.5 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5 10.5 11.5 12.5 13.5 14.5 15.5 16.5 17.5 18.5 Female Change Male Change Using the calculated data in Table #2, create line graphs , on your computer, using Microsoft Excel. For age, identify the mid-point of the Time Interval (for example, the mid-point for the time interval for 4 – 5 years is 4.5), on the horizontal axis. The vertical axis identifies the Change in Height . Color code. When completed, save as a pdf, and submit with Activity #2, Part A. 3. Table #3 provides weights in kilograms attained for the same female and male identified in questions 1 -3. Table #3: Weight (kg) Age 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Female 16 18 20. 5 24 26 28.5 33 36 42 49 53 55 56 57 58 58 Male 17.3 19.5 22 25 27 29 33 35.5 39 44.5 50. 5 55.5 62 66.5 71 74.4 Using the data in Table #3, create line graphs , on your computer, using Microsoft Excel. Create line graphs for weight for both female and male on the same chart. Identify the age on the horizontal axis and the weight in kg on the vertical axis. Color code data to differentiate sex. When completed, save as a pdf, and submit with Activity #2, Part A. 4. From the weight data in Table #3 , calculate the change in weight from one birthday to the next using the midpoint between birthdays. For example, the mid-point between 4 - 5 years is 4.5.

January 1, 2024 4 Female Height Age of Takeoff: Female Weight Age of Takeoff: Male Height Age of Takeoff: Male Weight Age of Takeoff: 4. View the excel line charts created from change of height and weight data (Tables 2 & 4), Identify the type of curve ? What is the significance of the growth data plotted on these charts? In other words, what do these curves tell us about an individual’s growth? 5. Look at the line charts created from female & male data in Tables 2 & 4. In general, is the rate of growth faster at younger ages or during puberty? Why ? Would you consider the pattern typical ? Why or why not? What is the basis for your answer? 6. Can you identify the peaks and valleys in the line graphs created from Tables 2 & 4? Indicate the age of the most pronounced peak and valley for both female and male (height and weight). Female Height: Peak Female Height: Valley Female Weight: Peak Female Weight: Valley Male Height: Peak Male Height: Valley Male Weight: Peak Male Weight: Valley 7. View the most pronounced peaks on your velocity curves . Analyze the distance curves around the age corresponding to the peak height velocity and the peak weight velocity. What is characteristic of the distance curves at these points? Describe observations. 8. In reference to the velocity charts , a plateau occurs when the line remains flat. What does this mean? Would a flat line have the same meaning when identified on a distance chart ?

January 1, 2024 5 Part B: Understanding Growth Research Purpose:   To demonstrate your understanding of growth-related research, as well as the knowledge of processes and measurement techniques used when investigating growth. Articles: uploaded in Activity #2 Folder o The impact of neonatal morbidities on child growth and developmental outcomes in very low birth weight infants: a nationwide cohort study o When did the substantial loss of child linear growth occur? Directions:   Select one of the two posted articles.  You may need to read the article more than once to respond to all questions.  When responding, follow these guidelines:  Download the selected article, save, and read the article.  Use Microsoft Word to respond to the questions.  When Activity #2 Part B is completed, save, and submit (upload) your document to Assignments, Activity #2, in the Assessments Tool in BrightSpace.  Identify the title of the research article you selected. Identify the  question , followed by your response .  Repeat for each criterion. o Point form responses are acceptable. o Ensure your responses are descriptive and clearly stated.   Assignment Questions:   1. In your own words, what is the key message the researchers want you to receive? 2. Identify to two concepts that you would take away from reading the selected article. Indicate why. 3. From reading and analyzing the selected article, what did you learn about human growth research and the process?  Why was the information significant or relevant for you? 4. When reading the article, what content did you find easy to understand? Why? 5. What content did you find challenging or difficult to understand?  Why?  Save your completed document and upload to your Assignment folder.