[Average body weight and height gain rate in children from 2 to 10 years old in a rural area of the Marinilla municipality, Antioquia, Colombia. 1996-1999].
BACKGROUND
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the average growth rate (AGR) in 2 to 10 years old children (n = 259) belonging to rural families from the municipality of Marinilla (Colombia). The results will be taking into account in order to define public health polices aimed to improve the life quality conditions in rural communities.


METHODS
In a descriptive longitudinal prospective study a representative sample from rural horticulture families having children aged 2 to 10 years old were selected. The confidence interval, alpha error, and over sample were 95.5 and 20%, respectively. The AGR for weight and high were evaluated according to the method by Baumgarthner, and the results were compared with the Fels Longitudinal Study reference values.


RESULTS
For AGR for weight 26.8 and 28.9% of boys and girls classified in the lower 25 percentile, respectively: 60.9 and 62.8% within the 25 and 75 percentiles, and 12.3 and 8.2% in the upper percentile of boys and girls, respectively. On the other hand, for AGR for high 44.9 and 33.1% of boys and girls classified in the lower 25 percentile, 44.9 and 52.9% within the 25 and 75 percentiles, and 10.2 and 14.1% in the upper percentile of boys and girls, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
These results showed that the AGR of children in this study could not overcome their delayed weight and high measures.
Alvarez Uribe
Martha Cecilia
MC
Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia. mcau@pijaos.udea.edu.co
Montoya Puerta
Elizabeth Cristina
EC
D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population