title: Cross-sectional-type weight reference values for village children under five years in Lesotho.
abstract: Cross-sectional-type reference values for weight attained are described for village children under five years in rural Lesotho (formerly Basutoland). Weight measurements derive from observations on 1317 children attending an Under-Fives clinic; it is estimated that 60-70% of the children under five in the catchment area were represented. 4585 weighings on boys and 4826 weighings for girls are included in the analysis. Figures of weight-for-age of boys and girls are given separately as centile distributions suitable for use on Growth Charts. Lesotho 50 centile approximates to 3 centile of British children and slightly exceeds 80% Harvard standard. Weight attained for age is similar, in both sexes, to reports from other less-priviledged urban and rural areas, emphasizing the relative importance of environmental as compared to genetic influences in determining weight-for-age in early childhood. It is suggested that the construction of locally-derived growth reference values is both appropriate and practicable.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007927:Lesotho; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors