Comparative anthropometrics of 3 to 24-month-old children breastfed in both high and low socio-economic strata in Lagos, Nigeria

This is a cross-sectional study of infants seen in the Nitel Health Centres in Lagos metropolis and Mushin Primary Health Care Centres in the Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State. A total of 297 infants aged 3–24 months were studied. Anthropometric and breast feeding patterns of the children were studied. The mean weights of the mothers were 67.2 kg for Nitel mothers and 62.11 kg for the mothers in Mushin Primary Health Care Centres. The mean heights for the mothers were 71.47 cm and 66.1 cm, respectively. About 98.8% of the mothers in the Primary Health Care Centres of Mushin breastfed. About 7.4% of the total population studied had WAZ scores of less than −2s.d. while 12.8% had HAZ scores of less than −2s.d. and 7.43% had WHZ scores of less than −2s.d. Malnutrition was considered to be very high. There was a positive correlation between the anthropometric measurement and education. Health (2001) 115, 157–162.