Validation of self-reported height and weight in fifth-grade Korean children

Height and weight are important indicators to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI); measuring height and weight directly is the most exact method to get this information. However, it is ineffective in terms of cost and time on large population samples. The aim of our study was to investigate the validity of self-reported height and weight data compared to our measured data in Korean children to predict obese status. Four hundred twenty-two fifth-grade (mean age 10.5 ± 0.5 years) children who had self-reported and measured height and weight data were final subjects for this study. Overweight/obese was defined as a BMI of or above the 85th percentile of the gender-specific BMI for age in the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts or a BMI of 25 or higher (underweight : < 5th, normal : ≥ 5th to < 85th, overweight : ≥ 85th to < 95th). The differences between self-reported and measured data were tested using paired t-test. Differences based on overweight/obese status were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear trends. Pearson''s correlation and Cohen''s kappa were tested to examine agreements between the self-reported and measured data. Although measured and self-reported height, weight and BMI were significantly different and children tended to overreport their height and underreport their weight, the correlation between the two methods of height, weight and BMI were high (r = 0.956, 0.969, 0.932, respectively; all P < 0.001), and both genders reported their overweight/non-overweight status accurately (Cohen''s kappa = 0.792, P < 0.001). Although there were differences between the self-reported and our measured methods, the self-reported weight and height was valid enough to classify overweight/obesity status correctly, especially in non-overweight/obese children. Due to bigger underestimation of weight and overestimation of height in obese children, however, we need to be aware that the self-reported anthropometric data were less accurate in overweight/obese children than in non-overweight/obese children.     

SNAP Participation in Preschool‐Aged Children and Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity

BACKGROUND: An increased prevalence of overweight and obesity for adults on government‐funded nutrition assistance, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), has been observed; however, this association among preschool‐aged children is not well understood. Longitudinal research designs tracking changes in body mass index‐for‐age (BMI) in children of low‐income households may provide a clearer picture of the association between SNAP participation and overweight and obesity among this age group. To determine if there is a relationship between SNAP participation and overweight and obesity prevalence in low‐income, preschool children, we conducted a cross‐sectional analysis of children in a Head Start program, and a longitudinal analysis of those children who were enrolled for 2 years. METHODS: Height and weight data and SNAP participation of 386 students (207 male, 179 female, 4.2 ± 0.5 years) enrolled in a Head Start program were analyzed; data for 2 years were available for 167 of the students. Height and weight measures were used to determine BMI percentile per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. SNAP participation was obtained through a nutritional questionnaire given to parents at time of Head Start Program enrollment. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between SNAP and non‐SNAP participants for BMI percentile in either the cross‐sectional or longitudinal analysis. BMI percentile increased for both groups over time, but failed to reach significance (p = .13). CONCLUSION: Future studies are warranted with an inclusion of a larger and more geographically diverse sample to further determine the association between SNAP participation and overweight and obesity in preschool‐aged children.     

Most Short Children with Cystic Fibrosis Do Not Catch Up by Adulthood

Poor linear growth is common in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and predicts pulmonary status and mortality. Growth impairment develops in infancy, prior to pulmonary decline and despite aggressive nutritional measures. We hypothesized that growth restriction during early childhood in CF is associated with reduced adult height. We used the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) patient registry to identify CF adults between 2011 and 2015 (ages 18–19 y, n = 3655) and had height for age (HFA) records between ages 2 and 4 y. We found that only 26% CF adults were ≥median HFA and 25% were <10th percentile. Between 2 and 4 years, those with height < 10th percentile had increased odds of being <10th percentile in adulthood compared to children ≥ 10th percentile (OR = 7.7). Of HFA measured between the 10th and 25th percentiles at ages 2–4, 58% were <25th percentile as adults. Only 13% between the 10th and 25th percentile HFA at age 2–4 years were >50th percentile as adults. Maximum height between ages 2 and 4 highly correlated with adult height. These results demonstrate that low early childhood CF height correlates with height in adulthood. Since linear growth correlates with lung growth, identifying both risk factors and interventions for growth failure (nutritional support, confounders of clinical care, and potential endocrine involvement) could lead to improved overall health.     

Health status and school achievement of children from Head Start and Free School Lunch Programs.

School health records of 332 children through the eighth grade were examined in a retrospective comparative analysis of physical health status and school achievement of children from Head Start and Free School Lunch Programs. The objective was to determine if nutrition early in the lives of children as a part of a comprehensive health and education program such as Head Start produces greater or different benefits for disadvantaged children than nutrition intervention later through free lunches when the child enters school. Cross-sectional longitudinal, and case-study approaches were used in the analysis. A group of no-food-program disadvantaged children and a group of advantaged children served as comparisons. Results showed that advantaged children performed better on all parameters of school achievement and health status compared with the disadvantaged children, regardless of the form of intervention. Measures of school achievement of Head Start and Free Lunch children did not differ from those of the disadvantaged comparison group, but there were significant differences in measures of health status between the disadvantaged groups. Fewer boys from Project Head Start fell below the 25th percentile for height compared with boys in the Free Lunch Program. Head Start children also scored higher in physical fitness and had fewer reported absences from school due to illness.     

The Effect of the Physical Factors of Parents and Children on Stunting at Birth Among Newborns in Indonesia

ObjectivesThis study examined stunting at birth and its associations with physical factors of parents and children in Indonesia.MethodsThis study analyzed secondary data from the national cross-sectional Indonesian Basic Health Survey 2018, conducted across 34 provinces and 514 districts/cities. Birth length data were available for 756 newborns. Univariable, bivariable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine associations between the physical factors of parents and children and stunting at birth.ResultsIn total, 10.2% of children aged 0 months were stunted at birth (10.7% of males and 9.5% of females). Stunting at birth was associated with the mother’s age at first pregnancy, parity, parents’ heights, parents’ ages, and gestational age. Children from mothers with short statures (height <145.0 cm) and fathers with short statures (height <161.9 cm) had an almost 6 times higher likelihood of being stunted at birth (adjusted odds ratio, 5.93; 95% confidence interval, 5.53 to 6.36). A higher maternal age at first pregnancy had a protective effect against stunting. However, other variables (firstborn child, preterm birth, and both parents’ ages being <20 or >35 years) corresponded to a 2-fold higher likelihood of stunting at birth compared to the reference.ConclusionsThese findings provide evidence that interventions to reduce stunting aimed at pregnant females should also consider the parents’ stature, age, and parity, particularly if it is the first pregnancy and if the parents are short in stature or young. Robust programs to support pregnant females and monitor children’s heights from birth will help prevent intergenerational stunting.     

Physical status, nutrient intake and dietary pattern of adolescent female factory workers in urban Bangladesh

This cross-sectional study examined the physical status, nutrient intake and dietary pattern of adolescent female factory workers in urban Bangladesh. A total of 1211 postmenarchial girls aged 14-19 y from seventeen readymade garment industries spread over the Dhaka City participated in the study. Body weight, height and skin fold thickness were measured for all subjects. The nutrient intake was assessed by 24-h recall method and 7-day food frequency questionnaire was used to investigate their dietary pattern on a sub-sample of 509 girls. Sixty five percent of the girls were short (height-for-age, <3rd percentile of NCHS reference values). Pre-valence of short stature was higher in the older girls. Mean body weight was 38k g for the 14 year old girls, which gradually increased across the age groups to about 42 kg for the 18 and 19 year olds. About 17% of the girls were thin (BMI-for-age <5th percentile of NCHS reference values). Over all, about 23% were lean (TSFT-for-age <5th percentile of NCHS reference values). Food intake data revealed a deficit of 1.62 MJ/day in energy. Mean intake of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C were below the recommended dietary allowance. Most of the energy and nutrients came from cereal grains. Habitual pattern of food intake revealed poor intake of eggs, milk, meat, and green leafy vegetables. In conclusion, the data show a poor physical status of the adolescent female factory workers in Bangladesh. Simultaneous substantial deficits in energy and several nutrients in their diet stress the need for an appropriate intervention to improve their overall nutritional and physical status of these young females.     

Physical growth and nutritional profile of the Xavánte indigenous population in Sangradouro-Volta Grande, Mato Grosso, Brazil

This study describes the physical growth and employs anthropometry to assess the nutritional status of a Xavánte indigenous community in central Brazil. Weight, stature, arm circumference, and triceps skinfold were measured in 549 individuals 0 to 90 years of age. Compared to the NCHS reference population, the children presented low height and weight for age, although maintaining body proportionality. Based on WHO criteria, 31.7% of children less than five years presented stunting, while 69.9% of adults presented some degree of overweight. Body composition measures in both genders were situated between the 25th and 50th percentiles of the NCHS reference population until adolescence, when they surpassed the medians. However the mean arm muscle area was consistently above the 50th percentile. The authors call attention to the complexity of the Xavánte epidemiological and nutritional profile, arguing that the study's findings have significant implications for the healthcare system serving this population, in addition to highlighting relevant ecological and socioeconomic issues, particularly in relation to food sustainability and nutritional transition.     

Ethnic differences in growth and nutritional status: a study of poor schoolchildren in southern New Jersey.

The growth and nutritional status of 2,056 schoolchildren from a poor community in southern New Jersey were assessed. Age-adjusted differences in growth among black, white, and Hispanic children were examined. Black youths were 2.5 centimeters (cm) taller (P less than .001) and 0.9 kilograms (kg) heavier than white youths (P less than .05). Black girls were 4.1 cm taller (P less than .001) and 2.8 kg heavier than white girls (P less than .01). Hispanic girls were 1 kg heavier (P less than .05) and 0.9 cm taller (not significant) than white girls. There was little difference in growth between Hispanic and white youths. Children were assessed with the use of the Centers for Disease Control''s nutritional surveillance cutpoints; less than 5 percent of each ethnic group fell below the fifth percentile, according to the National Center for Health Statistics'' weight-for-height standards. White and Hispanic youths were twice as likely as blacks to fall below the 5th percentile for stature or to be overweight (above the 95th percentile for weight-for-height). Compared with black girls, white and Hispanic girls were three to four times more likely to fall below the fifth percentile for stature. The prevalence of short stature was also higher among white girls (15.9 percent) compared with Hispanics (10.3 percent). There was little difference in the prevalence of overweight by ethnic group for girls. These data show that white children from poor communities have decreased growth and suggest that they may be at increased risk of nutritional problems.     

Short, thin, or obese? Comparing growth indexes of children from high- and low-poverty areas.

This study compared the growth indexes of first-grade, white children living in geographic areas of high poverty (n = 281) and low poverty (n = 442) in the state of Washington. Obesity was the most common growth deviance observed in these children. In the low-poverty area, 18% of children had a weight for height greater than the 90th percentile on the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) growth standards, whereas only 12% of children from the high-poverty area were in this category. Neither area had high numbers of children with reduced weight for height (less than the 10th percentile on the NCHS growth standards), but children from the high-poverty area were almost twice as likely to be short for their age; 9% of children from the high-poverty area and 5% of children from the low-poverty area had height-for-age values less than the 10th percentile on the NCHS growth standards. Criteria used to determine students' eligibility for financial support for school lunch did not accurately identify children who were thin or short. The prevalence of obesity in these first-grade children suggests that school-based growth screening as well as weight management and physical fitness programs are needed to identify and avert childhood obesity.     

Zinc,Iron and Vitamins A,C and E Are Associated with Obesity,Inflammation, Lipid Profile and Insulin Resistance in Mexican School-Aged Children

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship between micronutrient status and obesity, lipids, insulin resistance and chronic inflammation in children. Weight, height, waist circumference and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)) were determined in 197 school-aged children. Lipids, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), zinc, iron and vitamins A, C and E were analyzed in blood. Vitamin C and vitamin E:lipids were negatively associated with Body Mass Index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHR) and body and abdominal fat (p < 0.05). Vitamin A was positively associated with BMI, BMI-for-age, WHR and abdominal fat (p < 0.05). Iron and vitamin E:lipids were negatively associated with insulin (p < 0.05). Vitamins A, C and E and iron were negatively associated with CRP (p < 0.05). Interaction analysis showed that children who were overweight and obese who also had low concentrations of vitamin A had higher CRP and lower triglycerides (p < 0.1), children with low vitamin E had significantly lower glucose and triglycerides (p < 0.1) and higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations (p < 0.05), and children with low zinc concentrations had higher insulin resistance compared with children with adequate weight (p < 0.05). In conclusion, low vitamin C concentration and vitamin E:lipids were associated with obesity. Furthermore, low concentrations of zinc, vitamins A and E in children who were overweight and obese were associated with lipids, inflammation and insulin resistance.     

Breastfeeding is associated with lower body mass index among children of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of breastfeeding and overweight in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and the relationship between the two. DESIGN AND METHODS: A random cluster survey of 420 children (aged 6 months to 10 years), was conducted in the CNMI in June and July of 2005. Children were measured for weight and height and caregivers were asked about past feeding habits by trained investigators. RESULTS: Seventy-three percent of children were ever breastfed; 53% were still breastfed at 6 months, and 22% at 1 year of age. Five percent of children were found to be underweight (<5th percentile), while 15% were at risk for overweight (85th to <95th percentile) and 19% were overweight (>95th percentile), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention body mass index for age reference data. Children who had been breastfed had a substantially lower body mass index than children who had not breastfed, after adjusting for age, sex, birthweight, and years of mother's education. DISCUSSION: These findings will be used to guide program development in the CNMI.     

Ethnic differences in the prevalence of overweight among young children in Hawaii

OBJECTIVES: To compare the prevalence of overweight among young children of different ethnic backgrounds and describe the age pattern of overweight in early childhood. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 21,911 children, 12 to 59 months old, participating in the Hawaii Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in 1997-1998. They were grouped in eight ethnic categories. For 1-year-olds we defined overweight as weight-for-age at the 95th percentile or more and underweight as weight-for-age at less than the 10th percentile. For 2- to 4-year-olds overweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) at the 95th percentile or more, underweight as BMI less than 10th percentile, tall stature as height-for-age at the 95th percentile or more, and short stature as height-for-age at less than the 10th percentile. The National Center for Health Statistics 2000 growth charts were the reference values. The analysis included bivariate and multivariate methods. RESULTS: Large differences were found among ethnic groups. Among 1-year-olds, Samoans were the heaviest (17.5% overweight) and Filipinos the lightest (30.2% underweight). Among 2- to 4-year-olds, Samoans were the heaviest (27.0% overweight) and the tallest (16.9% tall), whereas Asians were the lightest (12.2% underweight), and Filipinos the shortest (19.0% short). Hawaiians and Asians also had a high percentage of short children (13.6% and 12.2%, respectively). Prevalence of overweight in all 2- to 4-year-olds was more than the expected 5%, especially for Samoans, Filipinos, Hawaiians, and Asians. At age 2 to 4 years, overweight was almost twice as prevalent as at age 1. Multivariate analysis showed that ethnicity (Samoan) had the strongest independent association with weight-for-age percentile, BMI, and overweight in the two age groups, followed by birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of overweight among children of Asian and Pacific Island backgrounds in Hawaii. It identified important characteristics of growth and will be helpful in the design of appropriate activities to prevent overweight.     

The Effect of a Comprehensive Life-Style Intervention Program of Diet and Exercise on Four Bone-Derived Proteins,FGF-23, Osteopontin,NGAL and Sclerostin,in Overweight or Obese Children and Adolescents

The adipose and bone tissues demonstrate considerable interconnected endocrine function. In the present study, we determined the concentrations of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), osteopontin, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and sclerostin in 345 children and adolescents who were overweight or obese (mean age ± SD mean: 10.36 ± 0.16 years; 172 males, 173 females; 181 prepubertal; and 164 pubertal) before and after their participation in a comprehensive life-style intervention program of diet and exercise for one year. Following the one-year life-style interventions, there was a significant decrease in BMI (p < 0.01), FGF-23 (p < 0.05), osteopontin (p < 0.01) and NGAL (p < 0.01), and an increase in sclerostin (p < 0.01) concentrations. BMI z-score (b = 0.242, p < 0.05) and fat mass (b = 0.431, p < 0.05) were the best positive predictors and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (b = −0.344, p < 0.05) was the best negative predictor of the change of osteopontin. NGAL concentrations correlated positively with HbA1C (b = 0.326, p < 0.05), WHtR (b = 0.439, p < 0.05) and HOMA-IR (b = 0.401, p < 0.05), while BMI (b = 0.264, p < 0.05), fat mass (b = 1.207, p < 0.05), HDL (b = 0.359, p < 0.05) and waist circumference (b = 0.263, p < 0.05) were the best positive predictors of NGAL. These results indicate that FGF-23, osteopontin, NGAL and sclerostin are associated with being overweight or obese and are altered in relation to alterations in BMI. They also indicate a crosstalk between adipose tissue and bone tissue and may play a role as potential biomarkers of glucose metabolism. Further studies are required to delineate the physiological mechanisms underlying this association in children and adolescents.     

Food security and nutritional outcomes of preschool-age Mexican-American children

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of food insecurity to nutrition of Mexican-American preschoolers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of low-income Mexican-American families with children of preschool age (3 to 6 years). Data included food security using the Radimer/ Cornell scale; acculturation; parental education; monthly income; past experience of food insecurity; and child weight, height, and frequency of consuming 57 foods. Weight-for-height z scores (WHZ), height- for-age z (HAZ) scores, and the percentage of overweight (> or = 85th percentile WHZ) were calculated. SUBJECTS/SETTING: A convenience sample of Mexican-American families (n=211) was recruited through Head Start, Healthy Start, Migrant Education, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in Tulare, Fresno, Monterey, and Kern counties in California. Statistical analyses Analysis of variance, t tests, Spearman's correlations, and Mantel Haenszel chi2. RESULTS: Limited education, lack of English proficiency, and low income were negatively correlated with food security (r = -0.31 to -0.44, P<.0001). After controlling for acculturation, children in severely food-insecure households were less likely to meet Food Guide Pyramid guidelines than other children (median number of food groups > or = recommended levels [interquartile range]: 2.0 (2.0) vs 3.0 (2.0), P<.006). Although WHZ (mean +/- SD = 1.28 +/- 1.80) and percent overweight (48%, N=19) tended to peak among children from household level food insecure families, no significant differences were found in weight or height status of children by level of food insecurity. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Dietetics professionals working with low-income Hispanic-American families should screen for different levels of food insecurity to determine needs for nutrition education and other services.     

Effect of settlement on nutritional status of Bedouin children aged 6–10 years in the Lebanese Beqaa valley†

The paper examines the nutritional status of Bedouin children as affected by settlement and by production systems. Anthropometric data (height and weight) were collected on 215 children aged 6–10 years from the Bedouin population of the Bega's valley. The sample included settled and semi‐settled Bedouins having two production activities: livestock ownership, or agricultural work. Semi‐settled Bedouins when compared to settled ones tended to have improved weight and height in all age groups. The difference in height was statistically significant for those aged 10 years (P < 0.05). Production type also seemed to affect growth of Bedouin children whereby those from families involved in agriculture production tended to have better growth with a significant difference in height amongst those aged 7 and 10 years (P < 0.05). The Bedouin Children surveyed whether compared by their own position within centile distribution of reference population (NCHS) or as a standard deviation (Z‐Score) manifested mild to moderate stunting ht/age. Forty‐nine percent and 37% of settled and semi‐settled livestock groups respectively were below ‐ 1SD for ht/age, whereas, 38.5% and 31.6% of settled and semi‐settled agriculture groups fell in this lower range. All Bedouin children in the studied age groups were shorter than the American NCHS standard for height.

It could be concluded that settlement of nomads did not seem to demonstrate a positive effect on the physical growth of Bedouin children.     

Meeting 24-Hour Movement and Dietary Guidelines: Prevalence,Correlates and Association with Weight Status among Children and Adolescents: A National Cross-Sectional Study in China

China is confronted with a “double burden” of underweight and overweight/obesity in children and adolescents. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of meeting 24 h movement and dietary guidelines among Chinese children and adolescents. Further, the study aimed to examine the association of meeting 24 h movement and dietary guidelines with weight status in Chinese children and adolescents. A total of 34,887 Chinese children and adolescents were involved. Only 2.1% of participants met the 24 h movement guidelines. Compared to those who met all three 24 h movement guidelines, those who only met the sleep duration guideline was significantly associated with a higher risk of underweight (p < 0.05), and those who only met the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, or screen time guidelines were significantly associated with a higher risk of overweight/obesity (p < 0.05). Compared with those meeting the dietary guidelines, those who did not meet the soft drink intake guideline had a significantly lower risk of underweight (p < 0.05), those who did not meet the fruit intake guideline had a significantly lower risk of overweight/obesity (p < 0.05), and those who did not meet the milk intake guideline showed a significantly higher risk of overweight/obesity (p < 0.001). These findings indicate a significant association between meeting the 24 h movement and dietary guidelines and weight status among Chinese children and adolescents.     

2009-2014年北京市西城（南）区中小学生 体格发育状况研究

摘要:目的　了解西城（南）区中小学生体格发育现状及变化趋势,为学校卫生工作提供参考依据。方法　采用随机整群的抽样方法抽取本区学龄儿童作为研究对象,运用统计描述、方差分析对连续三年的中小学生身高、体重和体格发育情况及变化趋势进行分析。结果　2009-2014年共调查本区中小学生158104人,其中男生79045人,女生79059人。各年度本区相同年龄的学生身高、体重差异均无统计学意义（均P＞0.05）;各年度相同年龄组的男生超重、肥胖和矮身材的检出率均高于女生,而低体重的检出率均低于女生。连续三年的监测中,有48.3%的低体重学生两年后转为正常,但超重、肥胖和矮身材转为正常的比例较小。结论　西城（南）区中小学生发育水平仍存在问题,学校和家长应重视孩子的身体发育状况,注意均衡营养,防止营养过剩或营养不良的发生。     

Parent or caregiver, staff, and dentist perspectives on access to dental care issues for head start children in Ohio

OBJECTIVES: We conducted 5 surveys on consumer and provider perspectives on access to dental care for Ohio Head Start children to assess the need and appropriate strategies for action. METHODS: We collected information from Head Start children (open-mouth screenings), their parents or caregivers (questionnaire and telephone interviews), Head Start staff (interviews), and dentists (questionnaire). Geocoded addresses were also analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight percent of Head Start children had at least 1 decayed tooth. For the 11% of parents whose children could not get desired dental care, cost of care or lack of insurance (34%) and dental office factors (20%) were primary factors. Only 7% of general dentists and 29% of pediatric dentists reported accepting children aged 0 through 5 years of age as Medicaid recipients without limitation. Head Start staff and dentists felt that poor appointment attendance negatively affected children's receiving care, but parents/caregivers said finding accessible dentists was the major problem. CONCLUSIONS: Many Ohio Head Start children do not receive dental care. Medicaid and patient age were primary dental office limitations that are partly offset by the role Head Start plays in ensuring dental care. Dentists, Head Start staff, and parents/caregivers have different perspectives on the problem of access to dental care.     

Socio-economic differences in height and body mass index of children and adults living in urban areas of Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To study the socio-economic differences in height and body mass index (BMI) in urban areas of Karachi. DESIGN: A comparative study was undertaken to compare the heights and BMIs of adults and children belonging to three distinctively different income groups living in urban areas of Karachi. SETTING: Data was collected from families living in small, medium and large houses located in the authorised urban residential areas of Karachi. SUBJECTS: A total of 600 families, 200 from each income group, were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements of 1296 females and 1197 males of different ages were taken. METHODS: All the housewives were interviewed to collect socio-demographic information. Height and weight of all the available family members were measured. In order to determine the socio-economic difference in height status, the mean height in cm of adults was compared. For children (2-17 y) means of height-for-age Z-scores determined on the basis of NCHS reference values were compared. For studying the weight status the BMI of all the respondents was calculated and they were grouped into categories of under-, normal or overweight according to the NCHS recommended cut-off points. For adult men and women BMI values <18.5 kg/m(2) indicated underweight and >25 kg/m(2) indicated overweight. Among children, those having BMI values below the 5th percentile of the NHANES III reference values were categorised as underweight and those above the 95th percentile were termed overweight. RESULTS: Height status improved with income level among adults and children of both sexes. Among males the difference in weight status was significant only among 2 to 18-y-olds (P<0.05 in each case). The rate of overweight among 2 to 18-y-old males was significantly higher (P=0.004) at the middle-income level (15%) as compared to low or high income. The rate of underweight was significantly higher (P=0.025) at the low-income level among 2 to 18-y-old males (31%, 21% and 22% at low-, middle- and high-income levels, respectively). Among females, rates of underweight were not significantly different at any age. Rates of overweight increased significantly (P=0.048) with income level among 41 to 60-y-old women (38%, 53% and 60% at low-, middle- and high-income levels, respectively). CONCLUSION: Chronic undernutrition as indicated by deficit in height decreased with increasing income level. Socio-economic differences in weight status were not uniform among various age-sex groups. The influence of increasing affluence is likely to be seen both in the form of increased obesity among older females and underweight among children. Differing patterns of association between income and weight status among male and female children need to studied further with more accurate birth records, so as to further clarify the situation. In terms of prevention of nutrition-related disorders both problems of under- and over-nutrition need to be addressed.     

父母身高对7岁以下儿童身高影响效应的研究

目的 分析父母身高对7岁以下儿童身高的影响效应,为个体儿童生长评估提供参考依据。方法 以“2015年中国九市7岁以下儿童体格发育调查”中父母身高信息完整的161 297名儿童为分析对象,参照中国儿童身高标准计算儿童身高、父亲身高、母亲身高和父母身高中值的Z分值,采用Spearman方法分析儿童身高与父身高、母身高、父母身高中值的相关性,并按父母身高分组,比较各组儿童身高的差异。 结果 1)儿童身高与父身高、母身高和父母身高中值正相关(r=0.13~0.42,P<0.05),且与父母身高中值的相关系数最高;2)按父母身高中值分为矮身材、偏矮、中等偏下、中等偏上、较高、高身材6组,各组儿童平均身高依次递增,父母矮身材组儿童身高比父母高身材组低1.9~14.7 cm,年龄越大差值越大;3)父母身高偏矮组子女身高第3百分位(P₃)比中国儿童身高标准P₃低0.6~4.8 cm,而父母较高身材组P₃则比身高标准P₃高0.6~4.7 cm;4)父母矮身材、偏矮、中等偏下、中等偏上、较高和高身材组的儿童身高Z分值与父母身高中值Z分值差值依次为1.27±0.99、0.61±0.92、0.18±0.89、-0.19±0.90、-0.61±0.93、-1.17±0.92。结论 7岁以下儿童身高与父母身高正相关;矮身材父母的子女身高明显低于高身材父母子女;矮身材父母子女身高高于家庭遗传身高;个体儿童身高评估和解释时,不可忽视父母身高的影响作用。