Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

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

Physical growth and nutritional status of Jordanian preschool-aged children

Z M Hawamdeh1, A I Ibrahim

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. ziadnet2004@yahoo.co.uk

Minerva Pediatrica
|October 31, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Most Jordanian preschool children aged 3-6 years fall within normal growth percentiles. However, a small percentage exhibit signs of under-nourishment and wasting, indicating a need for nutritional monitoring.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Child Growth Monitoring
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Assessing the growth and nutritional status of preschool children is crucial for early identification of health issues.
  • Establishing reference standards is essential for accurate growth assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the growth patterns and nutritional status of Jordanian preschool children.
  • To compare these findings with established World Health Organization, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC/WHO) growth charts.

Main Methods:

  • Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference) were taken from 1695 healthy children aged 3-6 years.
  • Children were categorized by sex.
  • Z-scores and percentiles for height-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-height, and mid-upper arm circumference-for-height were calculated using CDC/WHO standards.

Main Results:

  • 2.0% of boys and 0.5% of girls showed severe under-nourishment and wasting (<-3 SD).
  • An additional 7.4% of boys and 5.2% of girls were classified as under-nourished and wasted (-3 SD to <-2 SD).

Conclusions:

  • The majority of Jordanian children aged 3-6 years were within the 5th-95th percentile for height-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height.
  • While most children showed normal growth, a notable percentage experienced under-nourishment and wasting, necessitating continued surveillance.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children10:57

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children

Published on: August 22, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns01:29

Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns

Microorganisms exhibit diverse oxygen requirements and growth patterns driven by their metabolic strategies and environmental adaptations. Oxygen, while essential for many organisms, can also be toxic under certain conditions, shaping how microorganisms grow and survive.Oxygen Requirements of MicroorganismsMicroorganisms are classified based on their ability to use or tolerate oxygen:● Obligate aerobes like Mycobacterium tuberculosis need oxygen for energy production, as it serves as the...
Signs of Puberty01:27

Signs of Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...