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Socioeconomic variation in height: analysis of National Child Measurement Programme data for England

Hancock, Caroline; Bettiol, Silvana; Smith, Lesley

Authors

Caroline Hancock

Silvana Bettiol



Abstract

Objective: Short stature is associated with increased risk of ill health and mortality and can negatively impact on an individual's economic opportunity and psychological well-being. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between height and area-level deprivation by ethnic group in children in England. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of data gathered from the National Child Measurement Programme 2008/2009 to 2012/2013. Participants/methods Children (n=1 213 230) aged 4-5 and 10-11 years attending state-maintained primary schools in England. Mean height SD score (SDS) (based on the British 1990 growth reference) was calculated for children by Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index as a measure of area-level deprivation. Analyses were performed by sex and age group for white British, Asian and black ethnicities. Results: For white British children mean height decreased 0.2 SDS between the least and the most deprived quintile. For Asian children the relationship was weaker and varied between 0.08 and 0.18 SDS. For white British boys the magnitude of association was similar across age groups; for Asian boys the magnitude was higher in the age group of 10-11 years and in white British girls aged 10-11 years the association decreased. Height SDS was similar across all levels of deprivation for black children. Conclusions: Social inequalities were shown in the height of children from white British and Asian ethnic groups. Further evaluation of height in black children is warranted. Action is needed to reduce inequalities in height by addressing the modifiable negative environmental factors that prevent healthy growth and development of children.

Citation

Hancock, C., Bettiol, S., & Smith, L. (2016). Socioeconomic variation in height: analysis of National Child Measurement Programme data for England. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 101(5), 422-426. https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2015-308431

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 17, 2015
Online Publication Date Sep 4, 2015
Publication Date 2016-05
Deposit Date Apr 25, 2019
Journal Archives of Disease in Childhood
Print ISSN 0003-9888
Electronic ISSN 1468-2044
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 101
Issue 5
Pages 422-426
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2015-308431
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1647234
Publisher URL https://adc.bmj.com/content/101/5/422