Anthropometric Measurements Of Children Research Articles

Maternal perceptions of underweight and overweight for 6–8 years olds from a Canadian cohort: reporting weights, concerns and conversations with healthcare providers

ObjectivesThe majority of mothers do not correctly identify their child's weight status. The reasons for the misperception are not well understood. This study's objective was to describe maternal perceptions of...

S.03.02 - Preclinical studies of cannabis addiction − relationships between the endocannabinoid and dopamine systems

Childhood leanness is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia, but the effects of gender, age at anthropometric measurements and age at first diagnosis on this relationship are unclear. The present study aimed at elucidating these associations.Population-based cohort study with childhood anthropometric measures obtained annually from the age of 7 to 13 years in 253,353 Danes born 1930–1976 and followed to 31 December 2010. During this period, 4936 were registered with schizophrenia. The associations of childhood BMI with risk of schizophrenia were estimated with Cox regression models.Childhood BMI was significantly inversely associated with risk of schizophrenia, however with different patterns among boys and girls. In boys, childhood BMI had an inverse non-linear association with schizophrenia risk dependent on age at diagnosis; in particular, a surprisingly strong association was found between leanness and later onset of schizophrenia. In girls, the risk of schizophrenia decreased linearly with increasing BMI z-score (HR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88–0.98). In both boys and girls, birth weight was inversely associated with later risk. In girls, but not in boys, birth weight appeared to significantly modify the associations; there was a somewhat stronger inverse association in the lowest birth weight category.Birth weight as well as childhood BMI at ages 7 through 13 years is associated with risk of schizophrenia in both genders, but with a particular high risk of late-onset in lean boys irrespective of birth weight, and in lean girls with low birth weight. If replicated, these observations may inform preventive efforts build on schizophrenia trajectories rooted in early life.

Developmental and behavioral profile in a domestic adoptees sample: a new challenge for the pediatrician

To investigate the changes of developmental and behavioral profile in a domestic adoptees sample. 36 domestic adoptive families were recruited, resulting in a sample of 39 children. Families were sent a general questionnaire for collecting data related to the children demographic variables, infant's background (time spent in institutional care, age at adoption), children's health status and anthropometric measures at T0 , T1, T2 and T3 . Moreover, the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised Very Short Form and a modified version of parent-report of Child Behavior Checklist were used to assess temperament and to detect behavioral problems. As regards the psychopathological evaluation, behavior problems were more common in older children, especially among girls. In particular they exhibited a higher frequency of internalizing problems versus externalizing. Children in foster care suffer discontinuity of care that negatively affects their emotional and physical development. It's important for pediatricians to be aware of the special needs of adopted children, providing adequate support to adoptive families.

Vitamin D Status, Latitude and their Associations with Some Health Parameters in Children: National Food and Nutrition Surveillance.

Recent data indicate a role for vitamin D in many health aspects including anthropometric measures and blood lipid profiles. Dermal vitamin D synthesis may be influenced by latitude. However, the contribution of latitude in vitamin D status and its association with anthropometric and blood lipid measures in Iranian children have not been studied to date. We used data from the National Food and Nutritional Surveillance Program. In total, 667 apparently healthy children aged 5-18 years were randomly selected from six provinces of Iran with different latitudes, from 29 to 37°. Weight, height, circulating 25-hydroxycalciferol; calcidiol [25(OH)D] and blood lipids were measured. In total, 16.7 and 4.1% of children were overweight or obese, respectively. The mean 25(OH)D concentration was 27.3 ± 17.6 nmol/l (95% confidence interval: 26.0-28.7 nmol/l). Over 93% of all children had suboptimal circulating calcidiol concentrations. Undesirable status of vitamin D, serum triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein were all more prevalent in children living in regions >33° latitude than those in <33°, significantly. There was no significant difference in duration of sun exposure between children living in latitudes below and above 33° (p = 0.093). In multivariate regression model, sex, latitude, body mass index for age z-score and sun exposure duration were independently related to 25(OH)D concentrations, but age was not. Despite significant association of latitude and vitamin D status, hypovitaminosis D is prevalent across latitude gradient in Iranian children. Our findings warrant immediate sustainable nutritional intervention, including supplementation, to protect children from hypovitaminosis D irrespective of the latitude of their residence.

Aflatoxin exposure among young children in urban low-income areas of Nairobi and association with child growth

Populations in tropical and subtropical developing countries are exposed to largely uncontrolled levels of aflatoxins through food. These countries (especially in Africa and Asia) also present a high prevalence of stunting. Studies have reported an association between aflatoxin exposure and growth impairment in children but there is not yet conclusive evidence that aflatoxins are a significant cause of stunting in children, thus further research is warranted. In this cross-sectional study, 204 low-income households were randomly selected in two low-income areas of Nairobi, Kenya. Korogocho is a higher population density area and Dagoretti a lower population density area. We asked questions about household demographics and a 24-hour dietary recall was conducted in children aged 1–3 years. Child anthropometric measurements were also conducted. Height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ), weight-for-age Z-scores (WAZ) and weight-for-height Z-scores (WHZ) were calculated for each child using World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards reference data. Samples of foods were taken from the household or from the retailer for analysis using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Laboratory results for aflatoxin levels in the food samples collected were used to calculate the daily aflatoxin intake, according to the results from the dietary assessment. The study found 41% of children sampled had stunted growth. Boys were more stunted than girls (p=0.057) and Korogocho had more stunted children than Dagoretti (p=0.041). In all, 98% of food samples collected tested positive for aflatoxin and there was an average exposure to aflatoxins of 21.3 ng/kg bodyweight per day. Exposure to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), location and sex were significantly associated with HAZ, with boys and children from Korogocho having lower HAZ, and AFM1 was negatively associated with HAZ (p=0.047), indicating that AFM1 was associated with stunting. There was no association between total aflatoxins (aflatoxin B [AFB] and aflatoxin G [AFG]) and HAZ, WAZ and WHZ. The study showed a high prevalence of malnutrition, especially stunting, in two low-income urban sites, and this was most pronounced in the high-density area. The reported association between AFM1 and stunted children indicates that more research is needed on the health impacts of this aflatoxin in growing children. Keywords: stunting, aflatoxin M1, contamination, exposure, mycotoxin, ELISA, aflatoxins, mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1

Nutritional characterisation of low-income households of Nairobi: socioeconomic, livestock and gender considerations and predictors of malnutrition from a cross-sectional survey

In sub-Saharan Africa, urban informal settlements are rapidly expanding, leading to overcrowding and constituting challenging environments for food and water supplies, health and nutrition. The study objectives were to characterise and compare two low-income areas of Nairobi according to socioeconomic (including livestock and gender) indicators and the nutritional status of non-pregnant women of reproductive age and 1 to 3 year-old children; and to investigate socioeconomic predictors of malnutrition in these areas. In this cross-sectional survey 205 low-income households in deprived areas of Dagoretti and Korogocho (Nairobi) were randomly selected. Socioeconomic data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Maternal and child dietary data were collected by a 24-h dietary recall. Maternal and child anthropometric and haemoglobin measurements were taken. Chi-square, t-test and Wilcoxon-Mann–Whitney test were used to compare groups and multivariable linear regression to assess predictors of malnutrition. Dagoretti consistently showed better socioeconomic indicators including: income, education and occupation of household head, land ownership, housing quality and domestic asset ownership. Animal ownership was more than twice as high in Dagoretti as in Korogocho (53.0 % vs 22.9 % of households; p-value < 0.0001). A double burden of malnutrition existed: 41.5 % of children were stunted, and 29.0 % of women were overweight. In addition, 74.0 % of the children and 25.9 % of the women were anaemic, and were at risk of inadequate intakes for a number of micronutrients. Nutritional status and nutrient intakes were consistently better in Dagoretti than Korogocho; height-for-age (0.47 Z-scores higher; p-value = 0.004), the minimum dietary diversity (80.0 % vs 57.7 % in children, p-value = 0.001) and intakes of several nutrients were significantly higher. Positive predictors of maternal nutritional status were income, age and not having a premature delivery. Positive predictors of child nutritional status were area, household head education, mother not being married, female animal ownership and child’s sex (female). Malnutrition is prevalent in these settings, which could be partly due to low nutrient intakes, and to socioeconomic factors (including poverty), thus requiring comprehensive approaches that include increased accessibility and affordability of nutrient-dense foods. This study indicates that differences among low-income areas may need consideration for prioritisation and design of interventions.

Comparison of associations of maternal peri-pregnancy and paternal anthropometrics with child anthropometrics from birth through age 7 y assessed in the Danish National Birth Cohort

Maternal prepregnancy adiposity may influence child adiposity beyond the transmitted genetic effects, which, if true, may accelerate the obesity epidemic, but the evidence for this mechanism is inconsistent. The aim was to assess whether the associations of maternal body mass index (BMI) with child anthropometric measurements from birth through infancy and at 7 y of age exceed those of paternal associations. In the Danish National Birth Cohort, information on parental and child anthropometric measures is available for 30,655 trio families from maternal interviews during pregnancy and the postpartum period and from a 7-y follow-up. By using multiple linear and logistic regression models of child SD (z) scores of weight and BMI at birth, 5 mo, 12 mo, and 7 y of age, and of child overweight at age 7 y, we compared associations with maternal prepregnancy and postpartum BMI z scores and with paternal BMI z scores. When comparing maternal-child and paternal-child BMI z score associations, the strongest associations were observed with mothers' BMI at birth [maternal and paternal BMI z scores: 0.143 (95% CI: 0.130, 0.155) and 0.017 (95% CI: 0.005, 0.029), respectively] and throughout infancy, but the relative difference in the associations declined by child age [for BMI z score at child age 7 y per maternal and paternal BMI z scores: 0.208 (95% CI: 0.196, 0.220) and 0.154 (95% CI: 0.143, 0.166), respectively]. At 7 y of age, ORs of child overweight were 2.30 (95% CI: 1.99, 2.67) by maternal overweight and 1.96 (95% CI: 1.74, 2.21) by paternal overweight. There were no differences between the results based on maternal BMI before and after pregnancy or on child's weight adjusted for length or height. The associations of child weight and BMI with maternal BMI were stronger than with paternal BMI. The differences between the associations were strong at birth but declined with child aging.

Is Duration of Breastfeeding Associated with Anthropometric Measures in Children and Adolescents? the Weight Disorders Survey of the CASPIAN- IV Study

Background: The association of duration of breastfeeding (BF) with weight disorders remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association of BF with anthropometric measures and weight disorders in Iranian children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: Using multistage random cluster sampling method, a representative sample of 25,000 school students were selected from urban and rural areas of 30 provinces of Iran (2011-2012). Through a validated questionnaire, data was recorded for every participant. Anthropometricand measures and duration of BF were measured under international standard protocols by using calibrated instruments. Results: Overall, 23,043 students completed the survey (participation rate: 92.17%). They consisted of 50.8% boys, 73.4% urban residents, with a mean age of 12.55 ± 3.31 years. Significant association was found between BF duration and overweight (P<0.05). In multivariate model, longer duration of BF (BF ≥ 6 months versus < 6 months), was associated with lower risk of becoming overweight [odds ratio(OR):0.86(0.74,0.99)]. There was no significant association between duration of BF with body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, neck circumference, wrist circumference, generalized obesity and abdominal obesity. Conclusion: Although the longer duration of BF is associated with lower risk of becoming overweight, does not seem to be associated with anthropometric measures in childhood and adolescence. To confirm the results of the present study, more longitudinal studies in Iranian children and adolescents are warranted.

Growth status of children with autism spectrum disorder: a case-control study.

Children with autism spectrum disorder are at risk of a compromised dietary intake and nutritional status that could impact growth over both the short and long term. The limited body of published research addressing this concern has been contradictory and inconclusive to date. This case-control study investigated the height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric measurements of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Eighty-six children with ASD and 57 healthy controls participated in the study. Caregivers of participants who met the inclusion criteria completed a health history questionnaire, provided information on dietary intake and feeding behaviour, and completed a nutrition physical with a healthcare professional, which provided all of the anthropometric measurements required for the study. Body mass index and BMI Z-scores for females with ASD and corresponding healthy controls were significantly different. Female participants with ASD had significantly lower BMI and BMI Z-scores than control participants. The prevalence of risk for failure-to-thrive status was consistent across ASD subjects and controls. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was consistent across ASD subjects and controls. Children with ASD comprised 60% of the total number of children across BMI categories and mid-arm muscle circumference percentile ranges, which is consistent with the proportion of children in the overall sample. More research is needed to fully assess physical status and potential growth concerns of children with ASD. A full physical assessment should be a component of primary care for all children with ASD.

BLOOD LEAD LEVELS AND ASSOCIATED SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN DAMIETTA GOVERNORATE

Background: With the worldwide increase of industrial pollution and man made or natural combustion activities, people are all exposed either voluntarily or involuntarily to certain environmental pollutants such as heavy metals and organic hydrocarbons. Objective: Investigating the associations between socio-demographic factors, and increased blood lead levels (BLLs) among primary school children in Damietta governorate. Patients and Methods: This was a cross sectional study. It was conducted from January 2015 till January 2016. The study was conducted on Damietta primary schools’ students. The largest (in number of children in primary stage) school was selected as the primary target of the study (students number in all classes were 750 children; 741 cases were included in the statistical analysis). After ethical and administrative approval, all primary school children in the selected school were screened for blood lead levels and correlated with other sociodemographic factors. Socio-demographic information obtained from the questionnaire included sex, age, parental educations and occupations (unemployed, general labor, skilled labor, professional worker), neighborhood condition such as whether living in a crowed neighborhood, person directly raising the child, having sibling(s) or not, parental smoking at home and the mother’s age when the child was born. Blood specimens were collected, and frozen and collected to the Research Center at Al-Mansoura University hospital for lead analysis. Results: Serum lead levels ranged from 5 to 36 µg/dl. The mean value (ISD) was 9.67±6.11. Cases with serum lead level more than or equal to 10 µg/dl were 98 out of 741 (13.2%) and assigned as a positive group. 390 cases (52.6%) were males. Males significantly increased in in positive group (69.4% vs 50.1% respectively). Also, there was a significant decrease in age of positive children (8.52±1.62 vs 9.79±1.69 years respectively). Child anthropometric measurements revealed significant decrease of weight, height and head circumference (HC) in positive when compared to negative cases. There was a significant increase of low social level in positive group when compared to negative group. Furthermore, there was a slight significant increase of percentage of rural residence in positive when compared to negative cases. Male gender, rural residence, parent smoking, outdoor play, eating canned foods, waste piles around house and base floor living are risk factors for increased level of lead above 10µg/dl. Conclusion: Results of the present study shed a light on the situation of serum lead levels in primary school children and associated factors in Damietta Governorate. However, it was just a step on a long road for development an effective strategy for decreasing exposure and harmful effects of lead on children.

Influence of early-life and parental factors on childhood overweight and obesity.

We recently reported that a high BMI and high waist circumference prevalence is present in Sicilian children and that the male gender is associated with a significant risk of obesity. Early-life and parent-related risk factors were investigated 1521 Sicilian children (752 females and 769 males, aged 9.0-14.0years) to identify biological and environmental factors that can contribute to obesity onset. Anthropometric measurements of children, their urban vs rural area provenience, birth weight and neonatal feeding were collected. In addition, the BMI and educational level of their parents and the perception of their child weight status were investigated. In the study cohort, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 27.2 and 14.1%, respectively, significantly (p<0.05) higher in males than in females. Breastfeeding emerged as a protective factor (OR 0.64; p<0.0005), while risk factors for developing childhood obesity were a birth weight ≥4.0kg (OR 1.83; p<0.05), an overweight or obese mother (OR 2.33; p<0.0001) or father (OR 1.68; p<0.0001) and a mother with a low/medium education level (OR 1.72; p<0.005). Understanding risk factors for pediatric obesity is a prerequisite to identify children at highly risk of being obese and to predispose early intervention strategies.

The relationship between agricultural biodiversity, dietary diversity, household food security, and stunting of children in rural Kenya.

The study was to determine the role of Dietary diversity (DD), household food security (HFS), and agricultural biodiversity (AB) on stunted growth in children. Two cross‐sectional studies were undertaken 6 months apart. Interviews were done with mothers/caregivers and anthropometric measurements of children 24–59 months old. HFS was assessed by household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS). A repeated 24‐h recall was used to calculate a dietary diversity score (DDS). Agricultural biodiversity (AB) was calculated by counting the number of edible plants and animals. The study was undertaken in resource‐poor households in two rural areas in Kenya. Mothers/Care givers and household with children of 24–59 months of age were the main subjects. The prevalence of underweight [WAZ <−2SD] ranged between 16.7% and 21.6% and stunting [HAZ <−2SD] from 26.3% to 34.7%. Mean DDS ranged from 2.9 to 3.7 and HFIAS ranged from 9.3 to 16.2. AB was between 6.6 and 7.2 items. Households with and without children with stunted growth were significantly different in DDS (P = 0.047) after the rainy season and HFIAS (P = 0.009) in the dry season, but not with AB score (P = 0.486). The mean AB for households with children with stunted growth were lower at 6.8, compared to 7.0 for those with normal growth, however, the difference was insignificant. Data indicate that households with children with stunted growth and those without are significantly different in DDS and HFIAS but not with AB. This suggests some potential in using DDS and HFIAS as proxy measures for stunting.

Lactational Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Its Relation to Early Childhood Anthropometric Measurements.

Background:Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that may influence growth and development.Objective:We investigated the association between exposure to PBDEs via breast milk and anthropometric measurements in early childhood.Methods:The Pregnancy Infection and Nutrition (PIN) Babies studies followed a cohort of North Carolina pregnant women and their children through 36 months of age. Breast milk samples obtained at 3 months postpartum were analyzed for PBDEs. We collected height and weight records from well-baby doctor visits and also measured children during study visits (n = 246 children with > 1,400 anthropometric measurements). We assessed the relationship between breast milk concentrations of five PBDE congeners—BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, and 153—and child’s weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height z-scores (WAZ, HAZ, and WHZ, respectively), adjusting for age; maternal age, race, prepregnancy BMI; parity; smoking during pregnancy; and breastfeeding, and stratifying by sex.Results:Overall, PBDE exposures via breast milk were not associated with early-life anthropometric measures in the PIN Babies cohort. When stratified by sex, PBDEs in milk were inversely associated with WHZ for boys; however, associations did not follow a consistent pattern across the concentration gradient and were imprecisely estimated. Among girls, PBDEs tended to be associated with increased WHZ except for BDE-153, which was inversely associated with WHZ, though all estimates were imprecisely estimated.Conclusions:We observed little evidence of associations between early-life PBDE exposures via breast milk and anthropometric measurements overall; however, our results prompt the need for sex-specific investigations in larger cohorts.Citation:Hoffman K, Mendez M, Siega-Riz AM, Herring AH, Sjödin A, Daniels JL. 2016. Lactational exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and its relation to early childhood anthropometric measurements. Environ Health Perspect 124:1656–1661; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP201

Study protocol: Mother and Infant Nutritional Assessment (MINA) cohort study in Qatar and Lebanon.

BackgroundThe Middle East and North Africa region harbors significant proportions of stunting and wasting coupled with surging rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Recent evidence identified nutrition during the first 1000 days of life as a common denominator not only for optimal growth but also for curbing the risk of NCDs later in life. The main objective of this manuscript is to describe the protocol of the first cohort in the region to investigate the association of nutrition imbalances early in life with birth outcomes, growth patterns, as well as early determinants of non-communicable diseases. More specifically the cohort aims to1) examine the effects of maternal and early child nutrition and lifestyle characteristics on birth outcomes and growth patterns and 2) develop evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle guidelines for pregnant women and young children.Methods/designA multidisciplinary team of researchers was established from governmental and private academic and health sectors in Lebanon and Qatar to launch the Mother and Infant Nutritional Assessment 3-year cohort study. Pregnant women (n = 250 from Beirut, n = 250 from Doha) in their first trimester are recruited from healthcare centers in Beirut, Lebanon and Doha, Qatar. Participants are interviewed three times during pregnancy (once every trimester) and seven times at and after delivery (when the child is 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months old). Delivery and birth data is obtained from hospital records. Data collection includes maternal socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics, dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and household food security data. For biochemical assessment of various indicators of nutritional status, a blood sample is obtained from women during their first trimester. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, dietary intake, as well as anthropometric measurements of children are also examined. The Delphi technique will be used for the development of the nutrition and lifestyle guidelines.DiscussionThe Mother and Infant Nutritional Assessment study protocol provides a model for collaborations between countries of different socio-economic levels within the same region to improve research efficiency in the field of early nutrition thus potentially leading to healthier pregnancies, mothers, infants, and children.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-0864-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Relations between Household Livestock Ownership, Livestock Disease, and Young Child Growth

Background: In resource-limited settings in which child malnutrition is prevalent, humans live in close proximity to household livestock. However, the relation between household livestock and child nutrition represents a considerable knowledge gap.Objective: We assessed whether household livestock ownership or livestock disease episodes were associated with growth in young children in western Kenya.Methods: We incorporated monthly anthropometric measurements for children <5 y of age into an ongoing linked human and animal surveillance cohort in rural western Kenya. Using linear mixed models adjusted for age, sex, and household wealth, we tested whether baseline household livestock ownership was related to baseline child height for age or prospective growth rate. We also evaluated whether livestock disease episodes were associated with child growth rate over 11 mo of follow-up.Results: We collected data on 925 children over the course of follow-up. Greater household livestock ownership at baseline was not related to baseline child height-for-age z score (adjusted β: 0.01 SD; 95% CI: −0.02, 0.04 SD) or child growth rate (adjusted β: 0.02 cm/y; 95% CI: −0.03, 0.07 cm/y). Livestock disease episodes were not significantly associated with child growth across the entire cohort (adjusted β: −0.007 cm/mo; 95% CI: −0.02, 0.006 cm/mo). However, children in households with livestock digestive disease between June and November gained less height than did children in households that did not report livestock disease (β: −0.063 cm/mo; 95% CI: −0.112, −0.016 cm/mo). Children <2 y of age in households with livestock digestive disease gained less weight than did those who did not report disease (β: −0.033 kg/mo; 95% CI: −0.063, −0.003 kg/mo).Conclusion: In this cohort of young children in western Kenya, we did not find an association between ownership of livestock and child growth status. However, disease episodes in household livestock may be related to a lower child growth rate in some groups.

Longitudinal Changes in Anthropometric Measures in Children in the 5th Grade

Longitudinal Changes in Anthropometric Measures in Children in the 5th Grade

The effectiveness of nutrition education: Applying the Health Belief Model in child-feeding practices to use pulses for complementary feeding in Southern Ethiopia

ABSTRACTComplementary foods (CFs) in Ethiopia are cereal based and adding locally grown pulses (legumes) to CF would provide needed nutrients. To assess the effects of nutrition education (NEd) using Health Belief Model (HBM) in promoting pulses for CF, a 6-month quasi-experimental study was conducted in 160 mother-child pairs. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) questions were given to mothers at baseline, midline, and endline, along with anthropometric measurements of children. NEd involving discussions and recipe demonstrations was given twice monthly for 6 months to the intervention group (n = 80) while control mothers received usual education. At baseline, mothers’ KAP scores were low at both sites; at 3 and 6 months of NEd, mean KAP scores of mothers increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control site. Significant improvements in children’s mean weight, weight for height, and weight for age occurred in the intervention site only. Nutritional status of children improved after providing mothers with pulse-based NEd.

Anthropometric Measurement of Primary School Going Children in Pakistan

Background: Children were major part of our society and their health issues were too much, so it’s necessary that child should b healthy so their health assessment is important worldwide the acceptable method for assessment of health status is anthropometry (weight &amp; height). This study was done to assess the anthropometric measurement of primary school going children of Karachi, sindh Pakistan, and evaluate how much students were underweight.Methods:&nbsp;The study was done in different primary school of Karachi including private semiprivate and government. The study design was cross sectional study. The sample size of our study was 240, including both genders male&amp; female with range between 7-12 years.Result:&nbsp;The result shows that 34.9% were underweight (below 5th percentile), 63.44% were normal weight (between 5-95th percentile) and only0.8% overweight (above 95th percentile).The result showed male-female ratio was 51.5% boys and 48.5% were underweight. The prevalence of underweight in private sector was only 9.5% but in government it was 45.5%.The height of student also calculated and 26.3% children were below the 5th percentile of height for the age, 62.8% were between 5th to 95th percentile and 10.9% above 95thpercentile.Conclusion:&nbsp;The prevalence of underweight in primary school going children in Karachi shows the dietary requirements of children are not fulfilled properly and this may lead to many sever pathological conditions, so it is necessary to take positive steps regarding awareness of proper diet, hygiene and growth &amp; development of child.

Validity of anthropometric measurements, BMI and child growth assessments conducted by Head Start teachers: training needs for longitudinal child growth surveillance

BackgroundHigh prevalence of childhood obesity and associated diseases have been observed in the US Affiliated Pacific but no system for monitoring young child obesity in the region is available. Head Start (HS) preschools located throughout the region complete bi‐annual growth assessments to assess childhood obesity and can potentially contribute to a growth monitoring system.ObjectiveTo assess the relative validity of HS anthropometric measurements and growth assessments for potential use in a surveillance system.MethodsThis was a validation study of HS child anthropometric measurements taken by HS teachers against standardized researcher measurements for height and weight. Data from 19 HS classrooms (135 children) that were previously enrolled in a larger randomized control trial were included in this study. Differences in height, weight, BMI and CDC BMI categories between HS teachers and a standardized researcher were analyzed using paired t‐tests, controlling for child age at time of measurement to quantify differences in HS and researcher measured heights and weights. weighted Kappa statistics determined agreement between the methods on BMI weight categories adjusting for age at measurement with post‐hoc paired t‐tests to analyze differences in BMI categories by measurement method.ResultsHS teacher growth assessments did not significantly differ from those of a standardized researcher and weighted Kappa statistics for agreement based on CDC BMI categories showed reasonable agreement between the two methods (weighted kappa=0.72).ConclusionsAt the programmatic level, this level of agreement suggests that HS measurements are adequate for determining prevalence of BMI categories. However, they may not provide sufficient precision to assess changes over time in individuals and research studies (ie: measuring intervention or program effect). Anthropometric data from HS centers may contribute to a system for childhood overweight and obesity surveillance in the US Affiliated Pacific, however, further training on conducting measurements would be necessary to track individual changes over time.Support or Funding InformationThis project is supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Grant no. 2011‐68001‐30335 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement Coordinated Agricultural Program

Symmetric ambulatory arterial stiffness index in the young

The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) and the symmetric ambulatory arterial stiffness index (s-AASI) have been shown to correlate to arterial stiffness in adults. This study assesses these indices with anthropometric and blood pressure (BP) measures in children. A total of 102 children at a pediatric hypertension clinic who had ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) done from 2009 to 2013 were included (75% males, 7-22yo, 47% hypertensive, 24% prehypertensive, and 34% white-coat hypertensives). AASI is 1 minus the regression slope of diastolic BP values on systolic BP values from a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. s-AASI is the symmetric regression of AASI. Obese patients had a significantly higher AASI. s-AASI correlated with systolic BP variability. In multivariable regression, BP variability independently correlated with AASI and s-AASI. s-AASI is related to systolic dipping.AASI and s-AASI are highly dependent on BP variability in children. Further studies are necessary to assess their utility.