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Physical growth and development and nutritional status: epidemiological considerations
Federation Proceedings
|September 1, 1981
Summary
Child growth is an acceptable indicator of chronic protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Parental body size, not composition, may predict malnutrition risk in children, suggesting intergenerational nutritional impacts.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional science
- Pediatric health
- Human development
Background:
- Growth analysis is crucial for assessing population nutritional status.
- Chronic protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) significantly impacts child development.
- Intergenerational effects of malnutrition are a growing concern in public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate child growth as an indicator of chronic PEM.
- To investigate the relationship between parental anthropometry and child malnutrition.
- To determine the predictive value of parental body size and composition for offspring malnutrition risk.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a 1-year birth cohort from a southern Mexican village.
- Assessment of child growth parameters.
- Measurement of parental body size (linear and lateral dimensions) and body composition.
- Statistical analysis of sensitivity and specificity for predicting malnutrition risk.
Main Results:
- Child growth was found to be an acceptable indicator of chronic PEM.
- Parents of malnourished children exhibited anthropometric characteristics indicative of their own past malnutrition.
- Parental linear and lateral dimensions showed potential as indicators of malnutrition risk in children.
- Parental body composition measures were less effective in predicting offspring malnutrition risk.
Conclusions:
- Child growth analysis is a valuable tool for identifying chronic PEM.
- Parental anthropometry, specifically body size, can serve as a predictor for malnutrition risk in offspring.
- Findings highlight the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and the importance of parental nutritional status.