Anthropometric indices of middle socio-economic class school children in Karachi compared with NCHS standards--a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE

To measure height and weight of school going children (2-18 years of age) in Karachi. By means of these parameters we were able to document where the Pakistani paediatric population plot on NCHS growth centile charts.

METHODS

A population based cross-sectional study (in government and private schools, Karachi), in which height and weight were taken using standardized techniques. Two thousand two hundred forty five healthy school-going children 2 to 16 years of age (calculated from date of birth); sex, height and weight were documented. After the survey was completed, height and weight of the children were plotted on NCHS centiles curves.

RESULTS

P5, P25 and P50 centiles for height and weight of the Pakistani girls and boys was much below that of NCHS. However, P95 for boys and girls weight and height did not differ markedly in the Pakistani and NCHS centiles.

CONCLUSION

Height and weight of these children is below the NCHS centile for height and weight. Children plotting near the P95 NCHS, indicates that obesity may be a serious concern in our population. However, further studies are required for support. This pilot study indicates the need for development of centile charts for Pakistani paediatric population.