Semilongitudinal growth evaluation of children from birth to 14 years in different socioeconomic groups
Banik, N.D.
Indian Pediatrics 19(4): 353-359
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 7141647 Document Number: 195820
Height and weight of 2 groups of children between birth and 14 yr of age were studied by the semilongitudinal method. One group consisted of children with good nutrition belonging to families with monthly income and living in better residential quarters in Delhi [India]. The other group consisted of children with poor nutrition coming from families with low monthly income and living in poor residential areas. The mean (50th percentile) height and weight of children of both sexes belonging to the former group compare well with the 50th percentile of American children. With better socioeconomic status, it is possible to have growth potential similar to that of Americans. Mean (50th percentile) of height and weight of children of both sexes belonging to the latter group corresponded to the 25th and 10th percentile of American standards, respectively. Retardation of growth of children belonging to the lower socioeconomic group is due to environmental factors including nutrition. Growth evaluation by the semilongitudinal method can produce an overall picture of all ages of a growing child in a relatively shorter period.