Open Access
Subscription or Fee Access
ANTHROPOMETRIC ASSESSMENTS IN NIGERIAN CHILDREN
Abstract
Objective: To determine the relationship between psychomotor development and the
anthropometric indices in a sample of Nigerian children.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Setting: Anthropometric and developmental assessments were carried out on the subjects in
research rooms or semi-opened spaces that were generally conducive for the display of
developmental skills by children in the various study centres as follows: well baby/
immunisation clinic, nursery schools and religious centres.
Subjects: Ninety six apparently healthy children aged 7.5, 10, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months
(sixteen subjects in each age group) were assessed in the various study centres.
Main outcome measures: The anthropometric indices of weight, height and mid upper arm
circumference (MUAC) were measured on each subject; who was in turn subsequently
assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID): a performance developmental
inventory.
Results: The anthropometric indices of the subjects were found to steadily rise with age but
below normal standard values for each corresponding age group. However, all the subjects
scored above the normal minimal developmental index of 50 when assessed with the BSID.
Conclusion: The finding in this study is in line with the submission of earlier authors that
malnutrition (as indicated by the anthropometric indices) on its own alone may not
necessarily cause poor psychomotor development but perhaps in synergy with some other
environmental factors linked with retarded development. Based on the anthropometric
findings in this study, it is suggested by the authors that concerted efforts should be made to
improve the nutritional states of the Nigerian children so as to, among other things, enhance
their maximal developmental potential.
anthropometric indices in a sample of Nigerian children.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Setting: Anthropometric and developmental assessments were carried out on the subjects in
research rooms or semi-opened spaces that were generally conducive for the display of
developmental skills by children in the various study centres as follows: well baby/
immunisation clinic, nursery schools and religious centres.
Subjects: Ninety six apparently healthy children aged 7.5, 10, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months
(sixteen subjects in each age group) were assessed in the various study centres.
Main outcome measures: The anthropometric indices of weight, height and mid upper arm
circumference (MUAC) were measured on each subject; who was in turn subsequently
assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID): a performance developmental
inventory.
Results: The anthropometric indices of the subjects were found to steadily rise with age but
below normal standard values for each corresponding age group. However, all the subjects
scored above the normal minimal developmental index of 50 when assessed with the BSID.
Conclusion: The finding in this study is in line with the submission of earlier authors that
malnutrition (as indicated by the anthropometric indices) on its own alone may not
necessarily cause poor psychomotor development but perhaps in synergy with some other
environmental factors linked with retarded development. Based on the anthropometric
findings in this study, it is suggested by the authors that concerted efforts should be made to
improve the nutritional states of the Nigerian children so as to, among other things, enhance
their maximal developmental potential.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
