Growth of Preschool Children in the North Central Region1

Fryer, Beth A.; Lamkin, G. H.; Vivian, Virginia M.; Eppright, Ercel S.; Fox, Hazel M.

doi:10.1016/s0002-8223(21)14917-x

Cited by 4 publications

References 6 publications

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American children at risk: Poverty and its consequences for children's health, growth, and school achievement

Crooks

1995

Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.

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In the United States, over 39 million people live in poverty. Although poverty affects all groups, it disproportionately affects those whose access to coping resources is most limited, i.e., ethnic minorities and children. Since the 1970s, poverty rates have risen steadily in this country, especially for children. Today more than 15 million poor American children face immediate and life-long risk to health, growth, and school achievement. This review considers risk in these areas and finds that poor children, especially African-American children, experience increased prevalence of low birthweight, chronic illness, and lead poisoning, with reduced levels and quality of healthcare. At the same time, poor children exhibit higher rates of low stature, particularly Mexican-American children, and overweight. Poor health and poor growth are likely to lead to poor school achievement via deficits in cognitive functioning, behavior and activity, and increased absenteeism and school failure. Biological anthropologists are in a unique position to contribute to the research on poor children in the U.S and to assist in clarifying the complex pattern that leads to intergenerational poverty. To this end, a number of areas are identified where additional and/or continued research is needed. o

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