Relationship between wasting and linear growth in stunted children

ABSTRACT

Height-for-age and weight-for-height are commonly used indicators of nutritional status; however, their precise interrelationship remains unclear. We examined the relationship between weight-for-height and linear growth in 127 stunted Jamaican children aged 9 - 24 months. The children were measured every 6 months over a 2 year period. The initial weight-for-height status was positively associated with linear growth in the following 6 month interval. The change in weight-for-height in the preceeding interval was better predictor of linear growth in linear growth in the next interval than attained weight-for-height at the beginning of the interval. The results suggest that variations in weight-for-height may influence the rate of linear growth.(AU)