Weight, height and head circumference versus age in school children of Dakahlia governorate

ABSTRACT

In a trial to assess, anthropometrically, the nutritional status of school children in urban and rural areas of Dakahlia Governorate, 2400 children [1200 from each community] with ages 6.5-11.5 years were studied. Weight, height and head circumference were measured for all children. It was found that the mean weight and mean height of school boys exceed those of girls till the age of 10.5 years [in urban areas] and 9.5 years [in rural areas], after which the weight and height of girls exceed those of boys. The mean head circumference of boys slightly found to exceed that of girls throughout all school age period. Rural standards for weight, height and head circumference have marked lower position as compared with the urban standards and with the British standards. Malnutrition was more prevalent among rural school children than in urban school children