Abstract
This paper introduces quantifiable growth-and-obesity profiles of children in family-centered care. This work presents a model based on the mathematical-statistical technique of ‘box interpolation’, which generates patient- and parent-friendly profiles based on one set of height and weight measurements of parents and children. Target (mid-parental) heights and optimal weights were compared with measured heights and weights to determine if the children were obese (wasted) and tall (stunted), associating a numerical index with each condition, in the form of percentage. This model, also, estimated adult-heights and weights of children and indicated whether parents were obese (wasted). Data were collected by authors, following standard protocols developed by our team, as part of the NGDS (National Growth and Developmental Standards) Pilot Project. This project was approved by Institutional Review Board. Informed consents were obtained from parents of participating families. Each child was weighed and measured, in the presence of father and mother, barefoot, wearing short underpants, stripped to waist. Data from 70 participants of different localities of Karachi (17 families, consisting of 17 fathers, 17 mothers, 16 boys, 20 girls) were analyzed. Boys showed a greater risk of obesity (46.15%) as compared to girls (17.65%), when both parents were obese (15 families). Excessive obesity (wasting), failure-to-grow, short children developing normally, and failure-to-thrive, children neither growing nor developing normally, may be the cause of an underlying physical or psychological problem needing a head-to-toe evaluation. The method reported in this paper may be helpful in identifying such cases in children 3-10-year old, if regular height and weight screenings are conducted.
