Misclassification of stunting, underweight and wasting in children 0-5 years of South Asian and Dutch descent: ethnic-specific v. WHO criteria.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Several authors have questioned the suitability of WHO Child Growth Standards (WHO-CGS) for all ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to identify potential misclassification of stunting, underweight and wasting in children of Surinamese Asian Indian, South Asian (Pakistan/India) and Dutch descent.

Design

A series of routine cross-sectional measurements, collected 2012-2015. South Asian-specific normative growth references for weight-for-age and weight-for-length/height were constructed using the LMS method based on historic growth data of Surinamese Asian Indians born between 1974 and 1976. WHO-CGS and ethnic-specific references were applied to calculate z-scores and prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting.

Setting

Youth HealthCare, providing peri

SUBMITTER: de Wilde JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7358702 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature