Growth profile of preschool children in an Indian rural community.

An investigation into the nutritional anthropometry of preschool children of poor socioeconomic status was carried out in a rural community of India by door-to-door visits. All measurements--height, weight, left mid-arm girth, and chest and head circumferences--were far below local as well as international standards. By comparison with the Harvard standard, about 53% of the children were below it in respect of height for age and about 82% in respect of weight for height. The proportion of undernourished girls was relatively higher than that of boys. The need to develop regional standards is emphasised.