Height and Weight of First-Grade Children as a Potential Index of Nutritional Status

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Abstract
Heights and weights of first-grade children in Philadelphia public schools were secured for 1925-27, 1932-34, and 1947-49. The potential usefulness of these measurements as an index of nutritional status was explored by analyzing data to determine whether changes in growth occurred during the economic depression of the 1930''s. The data indicate that children from upper socioeconomic areas did show a change during the depression in that they failed to attain the growth expected from their secular trends between 1925-27 and 1947-49. This deviation was statistically significant for height in boys and for stockiness in both boys and girls. Children from lower socioeconomic areas showed no interruption during the depression in their secular increases in height and weight although they were shorter and lighter than children from upper socioeconomic areas. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.