Growth And Development Of Saudi Infant And Pre-School Children

Abstract

A SURVEY OF Growth and Development of Saudi Infants and Pre-School Children is currently being conducted in Riyadh, with the objective of develop ing a growth chart for Saudi infants and pre-school children. Mixed longitudinal data on growth and anthro pometric measurements are presented for 6400 infants and pre-school children from Riyadh, capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This paper focuses on field survey research design and some methodological aspects of the study; sample structure, sampling design and pro cedures for data collection are discussed.

Weight and Height of Saudi Children Six to 16 Years from the Eastern Province

“…Tanner [6] has suggested methods of constructing even velocity growth curves from cross-sectional studies, although they are less reliable. Literature from the Kingdom is largely confined to infants and preschool children [2,3], and the authors are aware of only one study in schoolchildren [1]. We stress the fact that Saudi children, whose ages are recorded in Hegira years, are at a disadvantage when compared to international standards (such as the NCHS as an example), in view of the shorter Hegira year compared to the Gregorian.…”

Are growth curves for Iranian school-aged children different from the NCHS standards?

“…Studies conducted in preschool-aged children in Qatar [18], Kuwait [19], and Saudi Arabia [20,21] reported that the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentile of growth standards were consistent with the NCHS growth charts. Nutrition difficulties in the early years may make the child prone to undernutrition or obesity.…”

Change in Growth Status and Obesity Rates among Saudi Children and Adolescents Is Partially Attributed to Discrepancies in Definitions Used: A Review of Anthropometric Measurements

“…Studies assessing children’s growth using anthropometrics started since 1977 [ 47 ] ( Table S2 ) and included the capital city Riyadh and other cities, whereas other studies assessed children’s anthropometrics in villages, including Wadi Turaba [ 48 ], Khulais [ 49 ] and other villages [ 50 ]. Alfrayh and colleagues were the first to publish data from Riyadh and constructed physical growth standards [ 51 ].…”