PHYSICAL GROWTH OF NEGRO CHILDREN IN THE DURBAN AREA

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (3) , 373-381
Abstract
Physical growth measurements from birth-145 mo. in 5743 urban Negro children in the Durban area showed that the median weight of the youngest members is similar to or heavier than an international reference standard (Harvard), but older children are generally lighter. Length measurements up to 24 mo. are similar to the standard and older children are shorter. Head circumference is greater than international values at all ages measured. The prevalence of malnutrition, assessed by values less than the 1/3 Harvard centile for age, reached a peak incidence for height in the pre-school children and for weight in the older male school children. Decreases in height and weight in the Negro child probably reflect the damaging effects of an impoverished socio-economic environment on growth. The development of the young Negro child along reference centiles implies that such standards established in the developed world are appropriate for assessment of adequate growth in South African Negro children of all ages.

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