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Growth performance of affluent Indian preschool children: a comparison with the new WHO growth standard

V V Khadilkar1, A V Khadilkar, S A Chiplonkar

  • 1Growth and Pediatric Endocrine Research Unit, Hirabai Cowasji Jehangir Medical Research Institute, Jehangir Hospital, Pune 411 001, India. vamankhadilkar@gmail.com

Indian Pediatrics
|March 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This study assessed the nutritional status of affluent urban children aged 2-5 years. Findings indicate that mean Z scores for height, weight, and BMI were below World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 standards.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Assessing the nutritional status of preschool-aged children is crucial for early intervention.
  • Urban affluent populations may still face nutritional challenges despite socioeconomic advantages.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 growth standards provide a global benchmark for child development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the nutritional status of affluent, urban children aged 2-5 years.
  • To compare anthropometric measurements against the new WHO 2006 growth standards.
  • To identify potential nutritional concerns in this specific demographic group.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional, multicentric preschool-based study design was employed.
  • Data were collected from 1493 children (727 boys).
  • Mean Z scores for height-for-age, weight-for-age, body mass index-for-age, and weight-for-height were calculated and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Mean Z scores for height-for-age, weight-for-age, BMI-for-age, and weight-for-height were all below the WHO standard median.
  • Specifically, mean Z scores were: height-for-age (-0.75 ± 1.1), weight-for-age (-0.59 ± 1.1), BMI-for-age (-0.19 ± 1.22), and weight-for-height (-0.26 ± 1.18).
  • These results suggest a trend towards undernutrition or suboptimal growth in the studied population.

Conclusions:

  • Affluent, urban children aged 2-5 years in this study exhibited nutritional status below WHO 2006 standards.
  • Despite affluence, these children may not be meeting optimal growth parameters.
  • Further research and targeted nutritional interventions may be warranted for this population.

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