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Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Rural-urban differentials in child body mass index over time
Senahara Korsa Wake1, Temesgen Zewotir2, Gizachew Gobebo Mekebo3
1College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia. senahara2004@gmail.com.
Background:
The body mass index is a simple index based on weight and height that can be used to screen children and adults for potential weight problems. The objective of this study was to investigate urban-rural variations in child BMI and its distribution from 2006 to 2016 in four low and middle-income countries.
Methods:
This study used data from the Young Lives prospective cohort study conducted in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam to assess the BMI change for children aged 5 to 15 between 2006 and 2016. We adopted a mixed-effect model to analyze the data.
Results:
The study revealed substantial changes and rises in BMI in Vietnam, Peru, India, and Ethiopia between 2006 and 2016. Peru had the highest BMI changes in both urban-rural areas. A low BMI was observed in Ethiopia and India. Urban-rural differences had a significant role in determining BMI variation. In urban Ethiopia, the mean BMI increased from 14.56 kg/m2 to 17.52 kg/m2, and in rural areas, it increased from 14.57 kg/m2 to 16.67 kg/m2. Similarly, in urban Vietnam, the BMI increased from 16 kg/m2 to 20.3 kg/m2, and in rural areas, it increased from 14.69 kg/m2 to 18.93 kg/m2.
Conclusions:
The findings showed an increase in BMI changes in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam from 2006 to 2016. Urban-rural differences have a significant contribution to determining BMI variation.
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