Pubertal stage and measures of adiposity in British schoolchildren.

Background: Puberty is a critical period in the development of obesity. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and skin-fold thickness are used generally as estimates of body fat in children and adults.

Aim: To identify a marker of adiposity that is independent of pubertal status and determine its relationship to physical fitness in adolescence.

Neurological observations.

A nursing assessment of the patient's neurological status incorporates monitoring of the patient's level of consciousness, pupil reaction and motor function, as well as observation of vital signs. The importance of all these observations, and how the nurse undertakes each stage of the process, is discussed, and the Glasgow Coma Scale is described.