Comparison of Median Weight, Height and Body Mass Index of School Going Children of Western Maharashtra with International Growth References

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Since School going children are our future working and productive population, it is of utmost importance that we constantly monitor the growth and nutrition of these children during their growth period. Objectives: This study was carried out with an objective to measure height, weight, and BMI of school going children of 6-15 years age group and comparing with WHO and CDC standards. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional point prevalence study among children in the age group of 6-15 years studying in schools of western Maharashtra. Two sections were randomly chosen form classes I to X and all the children in these classes were included in the study. A total of 2276 children in these age groups were thus studied. Ethical committee clearance and approval from schools were taken. Informed consent was obtained from parents. Data was collected through pretested predefined questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were done using standardized techniques. These were than compared with WHO MGRS and CDC standards were used. Results: Out of 2276 children, 56.23% were boys and 43.76% were girls. 18.5% had fathers belonging to class A occupational status, 31% belonging to class B occupational status and 50.5% belong to class C occupational status. 86.1% had mother who were homemakers. 40.55% had fathers who were graduates or beyond. The median weight of boys and girls of present study was less than the WHO and CDC standards till 10 years of age, thereafter it was more than the CDC standards. The median height of boys and girls in present study in all the age groups was more than WHO as well as CDC standards. The median height of girls was less than the boys for all age groups. Median BMI of boys and girls was less than WHO till 9 years and CDC standards till 10 years of age, thereafter it was more than both the standards till 13 years. The median BMI of girls was less than the boys till 9 years of age, thereafter it was more than the boys. Conclusion: The median weight, height and BMI of school going children of Western Maharashtra differed from that of WHO and CDC Standards. In-depth research to be regularly carried out to monitor the growth of children and proactive nutrition improvement measures need to be taken to maintain the growth standards of school going children.