The effects of work on the growth of Jordanian boys

To examine the effects of work on growth among boys aged 10-16 years in Jordan.

Cross-sectional health survey comparing working and non-working boys.

Height for age z-score; weight for age z-score.

One hundred and thirty-five working and 405 non-working boys aged 10-16 years were studied in the Jordanian areas of Irbid, Jarash and North Jordan Valley. The boys and their mothers were interviewed and data collected on work status, child's smoking status, and family socio-economic characteristics including per capita income, family size, maternal and paternal education, area of the house in square metres and expenditure on household durables. Height and weight were obtained at the time of interview. Linear regression models were fitted on height for age z-score and weight for age z-score.

In bivariate analysis, child's work status (r = -0.221), household per capita income (r = 0.104), family size (r = -0.102), house m2 per capita (r = 0.090) and monthly expenditure on durables (r = 0.086) were significantly correlated with height z-score. Work status (P < 0.0001) and household m2 per capita (P = 0.002) were retained in the regression model fitted on height z-score which explained 9.8% of the variance. The model fitted on weight z-score explained 6.5% of the variance and work status (P < 0.0001), household per capita income (P = 0.041) were retained.

The results of this study suggest that, independent of a range of socio-economic factors, work has a negative effect on child growth. Given the extent of child labour internationally these findings have profound implications for global child well-being and for global social and economic policy.