The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics

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Growth Velocity in Impoverished Children from an Urban Indian Slum as Determined by Longitudinal Anthropometry


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1 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570 006, India
     

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Normal growth of children, an indicator of wellbeing, can be monitored with anthropometry. The present study aimed at determining the growth pattern and velocity in impoverished children between the age of 2-11 years, [n=360], from an urban Indian slum through anthropometric measurements over four year duration. The mode of data collection was longitudinal wherein every six months all anthropometric measurements were recorded on all subjects. Initial data showed that 20, 29 and 59% of children had normal weight, height and weight/height ratio respectively revealing a high prevalence of undernutriton,wasting and stunting. Longitudinal anthropometry indicated the compromised growth of children over four year period with growth velocity being much lower than normal children and the extent of insult was higher as children grew older. These observations indicate that interventions are needed to correct nutritional deficiencies and prevent the negative impact of undernutrition on secondary growth spurt of growing children.

Keywords

Undernutrition, Weight for Age, Weight for Height, Mid Upper Arm Circumference, Skinfold Thickness.
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  • Growth Velocity in Impoverished Children from an Urban Indian Slum as Determined by Longitudinal Anthropometry

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Authors

Asma Kulsum
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570 006, India
A. Jyothi Lakshmi
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570 006, India
Jamuna Prakash
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Mysore, Manasagangotri, Mysore-570 006, India

Abstract


Normal growth of children, an indicator of wellbeing, can be monitored with anthropometry. The present study aimed at determining the growth pattern and velocity in impoverished children between the age of 2-11 years, [n=360], from an urban Indian slum through anthropometric measurements over four year duration. The mode of data collection was longitudinal wherein every six months all anthropometric measurements were recorded on all subjects. Initial data showed that 20, 29 and 59% of children had normal weight, height and weight/height ratio respectively revealing a high prevalence of undernutriton,wasting and stunting. Longitudinal anthropometry indicated the compromised growth of children over four year period with growth velocity being much lower than normal children and the extent of insult was higher as children grew older. These observations indicate that interventions are needed to correct nutritional deficiencies and prevent the negative impact of undernutrition on secondary growth spurt of growing children.

Keywords


Undernutrition, Weight for Age, Weight for Height, Mid Upper Arm Circumference, Skinfold Thickness.

References