title: Secular trends in height in different states of India in relation to socioeconomic characteristics and dietary intakes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Information on adult height and associated secular trends in relation to socioeconomic characteristics based on a nationally representative sample is not available from India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the average adult height and secular trends in height in different states of India in relation to socioeconomic characteristics and dietary intakes according to data from the Third National Family Health Survey (NFHS 3).
  
  
  METHODS
  Average heights and associated secular trends were analyzed for each state and in relation to socioeconomic variables. Bivariate and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the association of socioeconomic factors and consumption of animal-source foods with height.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from anthropometric measurements were available for 69,245 men and 118,796 women in the age group from 20 to 49 years. The average heights of adult men and women were 165 and 152 cm, respectively, with wide variation among states. Overall, there was a modest secular increase in height (0.50 cm per decade in men and 0.22 cm per decade in women), with a negative secular trend in some of the states. There were striking regional differences in the average heights and the secular trends in height. Similarly, higher socioeconomic status was associated with greater height and a greater secular increase in height. Milk consumption had a positive association with height in men (r = 0.69, p < .001) and women (r = 0.63, p < .001) in various/ different states.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The secular increase in height has been modest in India in spite of impressive economic growth. Consumption patterns of milk in different states may be related to the regional differences in height.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Nutrition (Indian Council of Medical Research), Jamai Osmania P.O., Hyderabad 500 007, India.
authors.forename: Raja Sriswan
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mamidi
authors.forename: Bharati
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000191:economics; D057217:Economic Development; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk; D012423:Rural Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult