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Body mass index reference curves for Iran
M Hosseini1, R G Carpenter, K Mohammad
1Tehran University of Medical Sciences, I.R. Iran.
Annals of Human Biology
|December 28, 1999
Summary
This study presents Body Mass Index (BMI) charts for Iranian children aged 2-18. Local BMI norms are essential for accurate assessment, as they differ significantly from UK-based charts.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Accurate assessment of child growth is crucial for public health.
- Existing Body Mass Index (BMI) charts may not accurately reflect diverse populations.
- Establishing region-specific growth references is vital for identifying nutritional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present Body Mass Index (BMI) charts specific to Iranian children aged 2-18 years.
- To compare Iranian BMI data with international standards (UK charts).
- To highlight the necessity of using localized BMI norms for Iranian children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1990-1992 National Health Survey of Iran.
- Included height and weight measurements from 1702 boys and 1599 girls in urban Tehran.
- Employed Healy's method, modified by Pan, Goldstein, and Yang (1990), for chart construction.
Main Results:
- Developed age- and sex-specific BMI centile charts for Iranian children.
- Demonstrated that the constructed charts fit the collected data effectively.
- Observed significant differences between Iranian and UK BMI charts across all age groups.
Conclusions:
- The developed BMI charts provide a reliable reference for Iranian children.
- Localized BMI charts are indispensable for accurate body mass assessment in Iranian children.
- Findings underscore the limitations of applying international growth charts to distinct populations.