© 1976 Oxford University Press
research-article |
Nutritional Surveillance of Young Children in Developing Countries
1 Reader in Tropical Child Health, Institute of Child Health, University of London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, England.
Morley, D. (Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1 N 1 EH, England), Nutritional Surveillance of Young Children in Developing Countries. International Journal of Epidemiology. 1976, 5: 5155.
This paper discusses simple but effective methods for surveillance of growth and nutrition of children in developing countries where resources are scarce and food shortages most likely to occur. In the youngest age group, the simplest weight-for-age chart, already used, is undoubtedly the best method. Where the age of children is not known, arm circumference provides an acceptable alternative. In older children, arm circumference alone may not be reliable and can be improved by measuring height as well and combining the two results.