Factors associated with unconstrained growth among affluent Ghanaian children

Aim : To identify socio‐economic factors associated with unconstrained growth among children living in well‐off neighbourhoods of Accra, Ghana. Methods : A cross‐sectional study involving the assessment of the anthropometric status of preschool children. Children ( n = 309) between the ages of 12 and 23 mo who live in affluent communities in Accra, Ghana were recruited for the study. Weight, length and mid‐upper arm circumference were taken. Information was collected on household demographics and socio‐economic status, including parental education and household income. Associations between these variables and attained growth were analysed to establish cutoffs for screening children with unconstrained growth. Results : The mean weight‐for‐age (WA), length‐for‐age (LA) and weight‐for‐length (WL) Z‐scores of the sub‐sample selected on the basis of high socio‐economic criteria were 0.18, 0.40 and 0.16, respectively. Among these well‐off children, 0% were underweight, 3.0% were stunted and 0% were wasted (Z‐scores >‐2). Factors associated with better anthropometric status were paternal education and household income. Two screening criteria combining the two variables were selected: polytechnic education and income < ± l 000000 (US 435) or university education and income < ± 200000. Conclusions : The children experiencing unconstrained growth belonged to a sub‐population of affluent households characterized by high paternal education and household income. This sub‐population was targeted for screening for the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study in Ghana.