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Abstract
BackgroundGrowth references (growth charts) are used to assess the nutritional and growth status of children. In developed countries, there are growth charts based on the country’s national surveys. However, many developing countries do not have their own growth references, so they usually use WHO and US CDC references. In such cases, it is known that the growth statuses of the subject are underestimated or overestimated. This study sought to accurately assess the growth status of children by developing a local growth chart for children living in the Southern Province of Zambia.MethodsAnthropometric measurements were conducted on 1135 children aged 2–19 years in the target area. The height and weight data for each sex and age were smoothed using the LMS method, and a percentile curve of height and weight was developed. Based on the US CDC reference, three indicators of undernutrition (stunting, underweight, and thinness) were calculated to determine the proportion of those who are undernourished (z-score < − 2).ResultsThe 50th percentile curve of height and weight in the growth chart of the target population was equivalent to the 5–25th percentile curve of the US reference, and the children of Zambia were both small and of low weight. Conversely, although many subjects are small and of low weight, it was found that there were few poor nutritional statuses as judged by BMI. Through comparison with a previous study in the Southern Province of Zambia, a secular change in the growth of children over 20 years was found. Although there was no significant increase in height and weight in the older age group, there was a significant increase in height and weight at an earlier age. This is thought to be due to an increase in the growth rate of children due to improved socioeconomic conditions, women’s education level, and improvement in health care standards.ConclusionsThe subjects were small and of low weight compared to the US population, but the nutritional status was not poor by BMI. The height and weight at an earlier age increased compared to 20 years ago.
Highlights
Growth references are used to assess the nutritional and growth status of children
This study aimed at the following three points to evaluate the growth status of children living in the Southern Province of Zambia: (1) develop a local growth chart and compare it with international references and previous studies in other Saharan countries, (2) evaluate the growth status by focusing on sex differences, and (3) compare this with previous research [6] in the same region 20 years ago to ascertain whether there was a change in the growth of children living in the Southern Province of Zambia
Growth patterns In boys, the height and weight curves for Zambian children almost corresponded with the 5th percentile of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) curves
Summary
Growth references (growth charts) are used to assess the nutritional and growth status of children. Many developing countries do not have their own growth references, so they usually use WHO and US CDC references. Child growth is internationally recognized as an important indicator for monitoring nutritional status and health in populations [1]. In Zambia, located in sub-Saharan Africa, the rates of stunting and underweight for children under 5 years were 45% and 15%, respectively, according to the national investigation [5]. This means that in Zambia, child undernutrition is a problem, as in other sub-Saharan countries
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