This book provides the first comprehensive set of normative reference values for Albanian adolescents at the age of biological maturity. Drawing on a large and representative dataset, it establishes population-specific normative data for body height, weight, body composition, and craniofacial dimensions, and situates them within broader regional and international contexts.
The work addresses a long-standing gap in the scientific literature by supplying reference values that are essential for medical practitioners, sports scientists, physical educators, and researchers working in growth, development, and public health. Particular attention is given to gender and regional variations, enabling more precise assessments of adolescent health and maturity across the Albanian population.
Clear in structure and rigorously documented, this volume is not only a scientific resource but also a practical tool for educators, coaches, and healthcare professionals. It will be of value to specialists in human biology, sports medicine, pediatrics, and anthropology, as well as to institutions concerned with youth health and development in the Balkans and beyond.
Running with the Fairies
In the first scholarly account of the Fairy Faith in over a hundred years, a PhD anthropologist interviews educated people in Ireland who have had direct spiritual experiences with fairies, recognizing the reality of nature spirit beings in a Western context.
