title: Growth disorders among 6-year-old Iranian children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sociodemographic factors are important determinants of weight disorders. National representative studies provide a view on this health problem at national and regional levels.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the distribution of growth disorders in terms of body mass index (BMI) and height in 6-year-old Iranian children using geographical information system (GIS).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional nationwide survey, all Iranian children entering public and private elementary schools were examined in a mandatory national screening program in 2009. Descriptive analysis was used to calculate the prevalence of underweight, overweight, obesity, and short stature. Then, ArcGIS software was used to draw the figures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population consisted of 955388 children (48.5% girls and 76.5% urban). Overall, 20% of children were underweight, and 14.3% had high BMI, consisted of 10.9% overweight and 3.4% obese. The corresponding figure for short stature was 6.6%; however, these growth disorders were not equally distributed across various provinces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results confirmed unequal distribution of BMI and height of 6-year-old children in Iran generally and in most of its provinces particularly. The differences among provinces cannot be fully explained by the socioeconomic pattern. These findings necessitate a comprehensive national policy with provincial evidence-based programs.
authors: Child Growth and Development Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors: Roya
authors: R
authors: Kelishadi
authors: Social Health Determinants Research Center, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, IR Iran.
authors: Masoud
authors: M
authors: Amiri
authors: Bureau of Family Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, IR Iran ; Department of Pediatrics, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Mohammad Esmaeil
authors: ME
authors: Motlagh
authors: Bureau of Health and Fitness, Ministry of Education and Training, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Mahnaz
authors: M
authors: Taslimi
authors: Bureau of Family Health, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors: Gelayol
authors: G
authors: Ardalan
authors: Child Growth and Development Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors: Reza
authors: R
authors: Rouzbahani
authors: Child Growth and Development Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors: Parinaz
authors: P
authors: Poursafa
keywords: Body Mass Index; Child; Socioeconomic Factors