Growth and development of the young infant and the older child

Ebrahim, G. J.

doi:10.1007/978-1-349-17031-9_2

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 53 publications

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“…This finding excludes the probability of severe or prolonged malnutrition in the critical growth periods of intrauterine life of infancy. 13 Habicht et al 14 have demonstrated that well-fed persons of various ethnic groups tend to approximate to standard levels in infancy and the preschool period. Our observations, therefore, suggest a genetic rather than nutritional component for stunting in the later years of life.…”

Section: Nutritional Statusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional Profile of Saudi Primary Schoolgirls in an Urban Region

1989

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Two hundred eighty-five primary schoolgirls from the urban area of Thugba, Al-Khobar, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia were examined anthropometrically. Hemoglobin estimations and laboratory stool analysis for ova and cysts were also performed. When compared to the standards of the US National Center for Health Statistics, the height-for-age measurements were below the median, lying between the 10th and 25th percentiles except in the 6-year-olds, who showed no stunting. This feature excludes the possibility of severe malnutrition in the prenatal period and infancy. Weight-for-height performance showed a trend toward overnutrition. We are thus inclined to believe that there is a genetic rather than nutritional component for stunting in the older children. Of the study group, 26.4% had anemia, and 9.2% were infested with one parasite or more, and anemia was common in those harboring infestations. Whereas most studies on nutritional status in Saudi Arabia have been conducted on preschool children, 1-5 data from urban-based samples and particularly the school age group are scarce. With 72% of the population urbanized in the Kingdom, according to 1985 data, 6 there is a need to investigate the health situation in cities and towns for a more realistic picture of the country. Moreover, schoolchildren are in a phase when growth and development are continuing, and though they are not in the preoarious state of health as preschool children, they are often malnourished and suffer from a variety of parasitic and infectious diseases. They are also in an impressionable stage. Economically and logically, school age is the right time and place for health and nutrition education to show longterm results.With these facts in view, the present study was conducted in the urban area of Thugba (Al-Khobar, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia) to evaluate the nutritional profile of female primary schoolchildren at the ages of 6 through 12 years and to conduct need-oriented health education sessions. We felt such data would eventually provide a basis for the planning of a broader based study of Saudi schoolchildren.The present research formed a major part of the requirements for a field training program of undergraduate medical students (level IV) in community medicine. Sampling and MethodsThugba residents could be largely classified as belonging to a middle socioeconomic level. Our intention was to investigate the nutritional profile of schoolchildren representative of this community; hence, we selected only public

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Section: Nutritional Statusmentioning

confidence: 99%