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Growth centile charts (anthropometric measurement) of Pakistani pediatric population

Sina Aziz1, Wajeeha Noor-Ul-Ain, Rukhsana Majeed

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi.

JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association
|July 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This study developed growth centile charts for Pakistani children aged 3-16, revealing 14% stunting and 5% obesity. Pakistani children

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Public Health Nutrition
  • Growth Monitoring

Background:

  • Accurate growth monitoring is crucial for pediatric health.
  • Existing growth charts may not accurately reflect diverse populations.
  • Establishing national growth references is essential for identifying developmental trends.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish anthropometric reference data for Pakistani children aged 3-16 years.
  • To develop national growth centile charts tailored to the Pakistani pediatric population.
  • To assess the prevalence of stunting and obesity in Pakistani children.

Main Methods:

  • A nationwide cross-sectional study involving 12,837 children (3-16 years) from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • Multistage stratified sampling across government and private schools in all four provinces.
  • Collection of height, weight, and 24-hour dietary recall data; Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation.

Main Results:

  • Average height: 139.11 cm, average weight: 33.21 kg, average BMI: 16.76 kg/m².
  • Overall stunting prevalence was 14%; obesity prevalence was 5%.
  • Pakistani children's height and weight generally fell between the 10th-25th centiles of CDC charts.

Conclusions:

  • Developed the first national growth centile charts for Pakistani children.
  • Identified significant prevalence of stunting (14%) and obesity (5%).
  • Pakistani children's growth parameters are notably lower than CDC references, highlighting the need for tailored standards.
Abstract

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