National survey of children's health in Trinidad and Tobago: methods and results for height

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To measure height as an indicator of nutritional status in a representative sample of primary school children in Trinidad and Tobago. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out. After stratifying for county, schools were sampled with probability proportional size. In each school all children were sampled from the admission class (mean age 5.8 years) and the `rising nines' (mean age 8.6 years). Measurements were made of children's heights. In order to standardize for age, standard deviation scores (SIDS or z scores) were calculated using age and sex specific British growth reference curves for 1990 as standard. In the reference population the mean (SD) SDS is 0.0 (1.0). Results were presented by sex and ethnic group. RESULTS: Measurements were made for 6,731 children in 66 schools. After excluding missing values data were analysed for 6,343 children (3065 boys and 3278 girls). In boys the mean height SIDS in those of African descent was 0.47 (1.04), in those of Indian descent 0.24 (1.08) and in those of mixed ethnicity 0.19 (1.07). The equivalent figures for girls were 0.53 (1.10), 0.19 (1.04) and 0.29 (1.12). Height SDS were higher for children aged 5-6 years than those aged 8-9 years. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of children's heights in Trinidad and Tobago is similar to that observed in African Caribbean and Indian origin children in Britain. Overall the results suggest that nutritional conditions are as adequate as in the reference population.(Au)