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The WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study: planning, study design, and methodology.

Mercedes de Onis1, Cutberto Garza, Cesar G Victora

  • 1Department of Nutrition, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland. deonism@who.int

Food and Nutrition Bulletin
|April 9, 2004
PubMed
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The World Health Organization (WHO) Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS) established new growth references for children under five. It highlights the breastfed infant as the normative model for physiological growth and development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Existing growth references had limitations for international use.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS) to address these limitations.
  • There was a need for a standardized, community-based growth reference.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop new, internationally applicable growth references for infants and young children.
  • To establish the breastfed infant as the normative model for growth and development.
  • To provide a single reference representing physiological growth for children under five.

Main Methods:

  • A community-based, multicountry study combining longitudinal (birth to 24 months) and cross-sectional (18-71 months) designs.

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  • Inclusion of approximately 8,500 children from six countries with favorable growth conditions.
  • Data collection included anthropometry, motor development, feeding practices, and socioeconomic/environmental factors.

    • Main Results:

    • The study established new growth references based on a carefully selected sample.
    • It provides a normative model for growth, emphasizing the breastfed infant.
    • Data collected offers insights into factors influencing child growth.

    Conclusions:

    • The MGRS provides a single, international growth reference for children under five.
    • The breastfed infant is presented as the standard for optimal growth and development.
    • These references are expected to improve the assessment of child growth globally.