title: Socioeconomic predictors of unconstrained child growth in Muscat, Oman.
abstract: We conducted a study to identify socioeconomic factors associated with unconstrained growth among preschoolers in Muscat, Oman. A sample of children born in 1995 and aged 28-43 months was drawn from the Child Health Registers of 2 health care centres. Sociodemographic data were collected by oral interview and maternal and child anthropometry measured. Regression analysis was used to identify socioeconomic indicators and cut-offs associated with unconstrained growth. Children from households with a monthly income > or = 800 Omani rials and mother's education > or = 4 years attained height-for-age levels comparable to the current international growth reference. By screening using this criterion, we could obtain a suitable sample for the World Health Organization Multicentre Growth Reference Study in Muscat.
authors.affiliation: Directorate General of Health Affairs, Ministry of Health, Oman.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Onyango
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Onis
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Mabry
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Alasfoor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009850:Oman / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012016:Reference Values; D012042:Registries; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires