Evaluation of body height and body weight in relation to growth in children in the North Backa region

Introduction: Body weight and height in regard to age present an important indicator for evaluation of health status in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate body weight and height in regard to age in children of the North Backa Region (Subotica. Backa Topola and Mali Idos) compared to reference values. Material and methods: Results of transversal anthropometric measurements performed from 1995 - 1998 of body weight and body height of 25.790 children aged 1-18 from Health Centers in North Backa Region have been statistically processed by software "CHILD". Body weight and height in regard to age were evaluated by standard deviation according to international World Health Organization reference values and National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS/WHO). Results: Body weight was established (+2 standard deviation) in 9.33% children while 1.14% had decreased body weight from -2 standard deviation. Obesity as well as undernourishment dominated among children from village Mali Idos. Body height higher than +2 standard deviation was registrated in 8.07% children mostly among boys from Backa Topola. Body height lower than -2 standard deviation was found in 2.10% children of our region. Discussion: Obesity in children aged 1-18 in our region is higher than in the children from UN regions and subregions. Only Russia has worse results generally speaking. In regard to the WHO Global Database of underweight children we can say that in our children it is hardly present. Conclusion: These findings reflect the need for prospective growth monitoring of children in our area and for health improvement through nutrition intervention programs. (authors)