BACKGROUND: There are few data describing the relative height and weight patterns of children and adolescents in rural Nigeria, despite a prevalence of stunting of over 38% among children younger than 5 years. AIM: The present study documented the height and weight patterns relative to international standards among children and adolescents aged 5-20 years in rural Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Children 5-20 years of age were enrolled from two rural villages. Height and weight were measured; body composition was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. z-scores and centiles for height and body mass index were calculated; prevalences of low relative height (i.e.>2 standard deviations below mean for age and sex) and weight by sex and age were estimated. RESULTS: A total of 623 participants (326 male and 297 female) were enrolled. The mean height-for-age z-score for males younger than 19 years was -2.1 and prevalence of low relative height was 50%. Among females, the mean height-for-age z-score was -1.2 during adolescence; only 15% of adolescent females were of low relative height. Based on BMI-for-age, 37% of the adolescent males and 23% of females were underweight. No children or adolescents were overweight based on BMI-for-age. CONCLUSIONS: Low relative height and underweight occur in a large proportion of children and adolescents in rural Nigeria, with the lowest relative heights and weights occurring in mid-adolescence and among males.
BACKGROUND: There are few data describing the relative height and weight patterns of children and adolescents in rural Nigeria, despite a prevalence of stunting of over 38% among children younger than 5 years. AIM: The present study documented the height and weight patterns relative to international standards among children and adolescents aged 5-20 years in rural Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Children 5-20 years of age were enrolled from two rural villages. Height and weight were measured; body composition was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. z-scores and centiles for height and body mass index were calculated; prevalences of low relative height (i.e.>2 standard deviations below mean for age and sex) and weight by sex and age were estimated. RESULTS: A total of 623 participants (326 male and 297 female) were enrolled. The mean height-for-age z-score for males younger than 19 years was -2.1 and prevalence of low relative height was 50%. Among females, the mean height-for-age z-score was -1.2 during adolescence; only 15% of adolescent females were of low relative height. Based on BMI-for-age, 37% of the adolescent males and 23% of females were underweight. No children or adolescents were overweight based on BMI-for-age. CONCLUSIONS: Low relative height and underweight occur in a large proportion of children and adolescents in rural Nigeria, with the lowest relative heights and weights occurring in mid-adolescence and among males.
Authors: J L Hautvast; J J Tolboom; E M Kafwembe; R M Musonda; V Mwanakasale; W A van Staveren; M A van 't Hof; R W Sauerwein; J L Willems; L A Monnens Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2000-02 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: R J Kuczmarski; C L Ogden; L M Grummer-Strawn; K M Flegal; S S Guo; R Wei; Z Mei; L R Curtin; A F Roche; C L Johnson Journal: Adv Data Date: 2000-06-08
Authors: Michael Beasley; Simon Brooker; Montanan Ndinaromtan; Ester M Madjiouroum; Marie Baboguel; Elie Djenguinabe; Don A P Bundy Journal: Trop Med Int Health Date: 2002-07 Impact factor: 2.622
Authors: Sally Grantham-McGregor; Yin Bun Cheung; Santiago Cueto; Paul Glewwe; Linda Richter; Barbara Strupp Journal: Lancet Date: 2007-01-06 Impact factor: 79.321
Authors: Stella K Muthuri; Claire E Francis; Lucy-Joy M Wachira; Allana G Leblanc; Margaret Sampson; Vincent O Onywera; Mark S Tremblay Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-03-27 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Ebenezer Olubanji Ojofeitimi; Adenike Iyanuoluwa Olugbenga-Bello; Daniel Adebode Adekanle; Adeleye A Adeomi Journal: J Public Health Afr Date: 2011-02-11