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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Factors associated with unconstrained growth among affluent Ghanaian children

W B Owusu1, A Lartey, M de Onis

  • 1Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|October 1, 2004
PubMed

Insights

High paternal education and household income are key factors for unconstrained child growth in affluent Accra, Ghana. These socio-economic indicators help identify children for growth monitoring programs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Public Health
  • Socio-economic Determinants of Health

Background:

  • Childhood growth is influenced by socio-economic factors, particularly in urban settings.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for identifying populations at risk or those suitable for specific growth studies.
  • Affluent neighborhoods may present unique growth patterns influenced by specific socio-economic strata.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify socio-economic factors associated with unconstrained child growth.
  • To analyze the relationship between parental education, household income, and anthropometric status in affluent Ghanaian children.
  • To establish screening criteria for identifying children with optimal growth in well-off communities.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study assessed anthropometric status (weight-for-age, length-for-age, weight-for-length Z-scores) in 309 preschool children (12-23 months).
  • Data on household demographics, parental education, and income were collected.
  • Statistical analyses identified associations between socio-economic variables and attained growth.

Main Results:

  • Children in affluent areas showed optimal growth (0% underweight, 3.0% stunted, 0% wasted).
  • Paternal education and household income were significantly associated with better anthropometric status.
  • Screening criteria were developed based on combinations of education level and income thresholds.

Conclusions:

  • Unconstrained growth in this cohort was linked to affluent households with high paternal education and income.
  • This sub-population was identified for screening in the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study in Ghana.
  • Socio-economic status is a critical factor in defining growth trajectories even within seemingly homogenous affluent groups.
Abstract

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