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Monthly changes in the gain and loss of growth in weight of children living in Guatemala

Am J Phys Anthropol. 1979 Aug;51(2):287-91. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.1330510215.

Abstract

Monthly increments of weight growth for a sample of 246 Guatemala City private school children are analyzed for the presence of a seasonal pattern in rates of growth. Neither a seasonal pattern nor any other periodic rhythm is found. It is observed that a significantly greater number of children aged 5.0 to 6.9 years experience their minimum annual growth rate during the dry season, with up to 60% of them losing or not gaining weight in any one month. Patterns of diet, exercise and disease cannot explain this trend. A possible association between minimum weight growth and maximum growth in height is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Body Weight*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Growth*
  • Guatemala
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Seasons
  • Sex Factors