Evolution of growth charts in India

Abstract

Growth charts are graphical representations of centile or standard deviation curves prepared from population-based studies. Growth charts are derived from large numbers of children either cross-sectionally or longitudinally. The variation in anthropometric measures amongst individuals of different ethnicities requires specific charts also for Indian children and need to be updated to reflect secular trends. Growth charts in India have come a long way from the development of first ones in the mid-1940s by National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) to Paediatrician Friendly IAP growth charts with mid-parental height and BMI tool. Indian BMI charts recommend overweight and obesity cut-offs for children to the adult equivalents of 23 and 27kg/m2 to prevent the under-diagnosis of obesity. Indian growth charts have been published for upper:lower segment ratios, Turner syndrome, waist circumference, height velocity and sitting height.

Keywords

• anthropometry
• Indian growth charts
• growth references
• growth standards
• synthetic growth charts