Anthropometric Indices of Primary School Children in Golpayegan City during 2006-2007

Background: In both clinical and community-based studies, weight-for-age Z scores (WAZ) is used for diagnosing and monitoring malnutrition. Height-forage Z scores (HAZ) is used to diagnose people with growth failure. We aimed to evaluate the anthropometric indices of primary school children in Golpayegan city and to find if such measurements can lead to an accurate estimate of children’s growth. Methods: Anthropometric indices of school children were checked in 2006 and repeated in 2007 using standard instruments and by trained staff. Results: 2% of children in urban areas and 2.5% of children in rural areas had moderate and/or severe malnutrition both in WAZ and HAZ indices. 1.3% of boys and 2.7% of girls had moderate and/or severe malnutrition in 2006. In 2007, 5.3% of the children had WAZ<-2 and 3% had HAZ<-2. Conclusion: It is recommended that food basket of people in Golpayegan be evaluated to find their food pattern and by scrutinizing its strengths and weak points a suitable pattern be proposed for people living in other parts of the country.