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Comparison of growth curves of 15-17 year old male students from two different economic backgrounds in Shiraz
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M Soveid   , GH Dabiri |
| , soveidm@sums.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (28606 Views) |
| Introduction: Height and weight growth are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. In order to elucidate the role of socioeconomic factors on height and weight, the height and weight growth curves of 15-17 year-old male, high school students from two socioeconomic backgrounds were compared. Materials and methods: By referring to local education authorities, privileged and underprivileged high schools were categorized. Then, by cluster sampling, 1800 students from each economic background (total of 3600) were selected. Height and weight of each student was measured by standard methods and recorded according to the age of the subject, and related growth curves were obtained for each economic background. Results: In all age groups and in 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles, the economically privileged teenagers were taller than less privileged ones and the difference occasionally reached up to 5 centimeters. By comparing the 50th percentile centiles of our height curves with those from the United States, it was seen that American teenagers are taller than their Shirazi counterparts. Our weight curves showed that in all age groups and in all centiles, economically privileged high school students were heavier than the less privileged and the difference occasionally reached up to 5kg. Conclusion: Our data shows the effects of socioeconomic factors on weight and height growth and emphasizes the need for a more equalized distribution of opportunities for all socioeconomic groups. |
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| Keywords: Height, Weight, Socioeconomic status, Shiraz. |
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Full-Text [PDF 288 kb]
(11001 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Endocrinology
Received: 2006/11/21 | Published: 2002/06/15
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