Growth and development of West Indian children. Part I: Growth.

The growth of Caribbean infants is comparable to the NCHS standards until approximately 3 months of age despite somewhat lower birthweights. After this, growth rates decline. This pattern is similar to that seen in other developing countries (Condon-Paolini et al, 1977; Whitehead, 1979; Rowland et al, 1988). By 18 months of age, average weights and heights of Jamaican children approached the 10th centile of the NCHS standards and remained below the 40th centile throughout childhood. Ashcroft's studies of growth in childhood showed that the pattern of growth was similar in a number of countries in the Region but, in more recent nutritional surveys, differences between countries can be detected. For example, the prevalence of undernutrition is lower in Barbados but conversely obesity, especially in older girls, is becoming a significant problem. Most of the growth data on which this review is based was collected in the 1960s and early 1970s. Only a few studies provided longitudinal data. These were primarily those concerned with growth in the first year of life and the Lawrence Tavern study in which children were measured up to 4 years of age. There is clearly a need for more recent data, particularly longitudinal, since the available data suggest that secular changes are occurring. Surveys of nutritional status provide some information on the adequacy of growth but cannot be a substitute for measurements of normal growth patterns.