Effect of early childhood undernutrition and child labour on growth and adult nutritional status of rural Indian boys around Hyderabad.

A longitudinal study of rural Hyderabad children has been in progress from 1965. About 700 boys who are under follow-up are now in late adolescence and young adult stage. Of them, 410 had completed linear growth by the 1983-84 annual round. Severe growth retardation was observed among one-sixth at their 5th year of life. The severely undernourished group grew up as the shortest and lightest young adults. One-fifth of the boys under study worked for wages in their childhood. Their work experience ranged from 4 to 8 years at 14 years of age (child labourers or working children). Growth and development of working children was compared with students, who were matched for nutritional status at age 5. Working children lost considerable ground and suffered significant growth deficits.