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Growth of normal urban black Southern African children aged 6-19 years
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Transkei, UNITRA, Umtata, Southern Africa.
Insights
This study analyzed growth metrics in Southern African schoolchildren, finding height-for-age and weight-for-age generally below US National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) data, with weight-for-height slightly higher. Adolescent growth patterns and peak height velocity were also detailed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Human Growth and Development
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Establishing normative growth data is crucial for identifying potential health and nutritional issues in pediatric populations.
- Previous growth studies in African children have shown variations compared to international standards, necessitating region-specific reference data.
- Understanding growth patterns in urban black Southern African schoolchildren is vital for assessing their nutritional status and developmental trajectory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference data for height-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height in normal urban black Southern African schoolchildren.
- To compare these growth parameters with the USA National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) data.
- To document the timing and characteristics of the adolescent growth spurt and peak height velocity in this population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 2,000 normal urban black Southern African schoolchildren from Umtata, Republic of Transkei.
- Collection and analysis of anthropometric measurements: height-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height.
- Statistical comparison of collected data with NCHS reference data and analysis of growth spurt and peak height velocity.
Main Results:
- Height-for-age data were generally lower than NCHS, falling between the 3rd and 75th percentiles.
- Weight-for-age data in boys over 13 years were statistically lower than NCHS (10th-75th percentiles).
- Weight-for-height was slightly greater than NCHS (25th-90th percentiles); adolescent growth spurt occurred around 11 years in girls and 12 years in boys, with a mean pubertal duration of 2 years.
Conclusions:
- The study provides valuable reference data for urban black Southern African schoolchildren, highlighting differences from NCHS standards.
- Findings suggest potential nutritional or environmental factors influencing growth patterns in this specific population.
- The documented growth spurt and peak height velocity offer insights into the pubertal development of these children, aiding in health assessments.
Abstract:
Height-for-age, weight-for-age, weight-for-height, and height gain were studied in two-thousand normal urban black Southern African schoolchildren from Umtata, Republic of Transkei, Southern Africa. The height-for-age data in the present study were less than those of the USA National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) data and the overall distribution of height for age was between the 3rd and 75th percentiles of NCHS. In boys, after the age of 13 years, the weight-for-age data in the present study were statistically less than NCHS and the overall distribution of weight-for-age data was between the 10th and 75th percentiles of NCHS. The weight for height in the present study was slightly greater than NCHS and the overall distribution of weight for height data was between 25th and 90th percentiles of NCHS. Adolescent growth spurt occurred in girls at the age of around 11 years, while in boys it occurred around 12 years. The mean duration of the pubertal period was 2 years for boys and girls. Peak height velocity (PHV) was 7.7 and 7.9 cm/year in boys and girls, respectively. The present study may be used a source of reference for urban black schoolchildren in Africa.