Assessment of growth and development of primary school children as per new WHO child growth standards in selected schools at Gurgaon, Haryana

Ms. Kulpooja, Dr. Sunil Kumar Dular, Ms. Ritika Ranga, Ms. Neelam

Keywords:

Growth assessment, WHO standards, child development, primary school childrens, anthropometry.

Abstract:

Background: Monitoring the growth and development of children is crucial for identifying potential health concerns and ensuring their overall well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established updated Child Growth Standards to provide a universal reference for assessing growth. This study aims to assess the growth and development of primary school children in Gurgaon, Haryana, based on the WHO standards. Objectives are assess the growth and development of primary school children using WHO Child Growth Standards.To identify the proportion of children with deviations in growth parameters such as underweight, stunting, wasting, or obesity.To analyze factors influencing growth and development, including socio-demographic and environmental determinants. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 primary school children aged 6-12 years from selected schools in Gurgaon, Haryana. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and BMI) were recorded and analyzed against the WHO growth charts. Developmental milestones were assessed using structured questionnaires and observation checklists Results: The study assessed the growth and development of primary school children aged 6-12 years in Gurgaon, Haryana, based on WHO Child Growth Standards. The majority of children (63%) demonstrated normal growth parameters, while deviations were observed in the form of underweight (15%), stunting (10%), wasting (5%), and obesity (3%). The mean height was 125 cm, mean weight was 27 kg, and mean BMI was 17.3, with most children falling within the normal range. However, undernutrition persisted as a significant concern, while a smaller proportion of children exhibited obesity, reflecting the dual burden of malnutrition and lifestyle changes in urbanizing regions. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of regular growth monitoring and targeted interventions to address growth deviations. Schools can play a significant role in promoting health awareness and early detection of growth-related concerns.

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