Changes in Alkaline Phosphatase Activity During Adolescence in an Urban and Suburban Localities in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated variations in alkaline phosphatase activity during adolescence in Ohafia and Umuahia
(suburban and urban localities respectively) in Abia State, South Eastern Nigeria. Males (123) and females (112)
aged between 9 and 16 years were recruited for the study. Peak alkaline phosphatase activities (68.59±26.31 IU/
L and 57.33 ± 26.55 IU/L for males and females respectively) were observed at 14yrs of age in the suburban
locality studied. In the urban locality peak alkaline phosphatase activity (79.28 ± 9.63 IU/L) was observed at
15yrs of age in males while their female counterparts had peak alkaline phosphatase activity (68.21±16.29 IU/L)
at 12yrs. Mean heights at which peak alkaline phosphatase activities were observed in the suburban locality were
1.46±0.10 and 1.57±0.05m for males and females respectively, while in the urban locality studied peak heights
were 1.56±0.05 and 1.48±0.05 for males and females respectively. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly
(P0.05) higher in urban males at ages 10 and 15 than in their suburban counterparts. Among the females
alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly (P0.05) higher at 10, 12, 13 and 16 years of age in urban residents
relative those resident in the suburban locality. Our findings are indicative that using peak alkaline phoshatase
activity (a biochemical index of growth spurt in adolescents) males and females in Ohafia had peak
growth spurt at age 14yrs. Females in Umuahia had peak growth spurt at age 12yrs, while their male counterparts
had theirs at age 15yrs. The paper discusses the implications of these findings vis a vis adolescent nutrition
and lifestyle in the two localities studied.