The nutritional status of Auckland children.

The nutritional status of children (and hence the community) was assessed in the five major races in Auckland by height, weight, and head circumference measurements. Under the age of two years Samoan children were significnatly taller and heavier than Europeans and Maori children. No significant racial differences occurred in children between ages two and 13 years. No racial variation in head circumference between races was noted at any age. More children of lower socio-economic class had weights about the 97th percentile especially in Samoan, Cook Island and Niuean children's groups, suggesting they are particularly vulnerable to obesity. Heal circumference of children of low socio-economic status was smaller than that of other children. Similarly non-breast fed children had smaller heads than breast fed children. This suggests these children may have impaired brain growth.